Namibia, Botswana report progress on dry port project

THE development of transport infrastructure like roads, railways and port facilities is considered crucial for further growth in Namibia and Botswana.

Addressing the fourth session of the Joint Commission of Co-operation between Namibia and Botswana at Walvis Bay this week, Foreign Affairs Minister Marco Hausiku said infrastructure development is essential for the entire African continent. “Roads and railway networks constitute a strong foundation upon which to address many developmental challenges facing our countries and peoples,” he said.He said plans to build a railway line between Namibia and Botswana are gaining momentum.”This will indeed be a milestone in infrastructure development and when implemented, will contribute significantly towards economic growth and trade between the two countries, the region and the larger international market,” he stated.Progress is also being made with the establishment of a dry port facility for Botswana in Walvis Bay.The site was already handed over to Botswana in 2006, and a memorandum of understanding was signed earlier this year.A lease agreement will be signed soon, it was said at the meeting.It is believed that the establishment of the dry port will strengthen economic ties between the two countries.Botswana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, Phandu Skelemani, said although significant progress had been made in a number of areas since the commission last met in 2006, a lot more work needed to be done with regard to promoting the shared transport infrastructure.He made specific reference to the signing of the memorandum of understanding on the Trans-Kalahari Highway in November 2003, and said that very little had been done in terms of pursuing its joint marketing.He urged both countries’ relevant authorities to meet more regularly to address all pending issues and to actively pursue joint marketing of the highway.Skelemani also signed an agreement with Minister of Health and Social Services, Richard Kamwi, yesterday that will allow for joint and synchronised immunisation programmes and joint initiatives on HIV-AIDS and tuberculosis (TB) management.The next joint commission meeting will take place in Botswana in 2010.”Roads and railway networks constitute a strong foundation upon which to address many developmental challenges facing our countries and peoples,” he said.He said plans to build a railway line between Namibia and Botswana are gaining momentum.”This will indeed be a milestone in infrastructure development and when implemented, will contribute significantly towards economic growth and trade between the two countries, the region and the larger international market,” he stated.Progress is also being made with the establishment of a dry port facility for Botswana in Walvis Bay.The site was already handed over to Botswana in 2006, and a memorandum of understanding was signed earlier this year.A lease agreement will be signed soon, it was said at the meeting.It is believed that the establishment of the dry port will strengthen economic ties between the two countries.Botswana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, Phandu Skelemani, said although significant progress had been made in a number of areas since the commission last met in 2006, a lot more work needed to be done with regard to promoting the shared transport infrastructure.He made specific reference to the signing of the memorandum of understanding on the Trans-Kalahari Highway in November 2003, and said that very little had been done in terms of pursuing its joint marketing.He urged both countries’ relevant authorities to meet more regularly to address all pending issues and to actively pursue joint marketing of the highway.Skelemani also signed an agreement with Minister of Health and Social Services, Richard Kamwi, yesterday that will allow for joint and synchronised immunisation programmes and joint initiatives on HIV-AIDS and tuberculosis (TB) management.The next joint commission meeting will take place in Botswana in 2010.