BUSINESS REPORTER
A delegation from Namibia is in Zimbabwe on a two-weeks trade mission as it seeks to lure local firms to use the Walvis Bay Port and the Zimbabwe Dry port for exports and imports, Business Times can report.
The delegation arrived last week and the trade mission runs up to October 21.
The Namibian delegation is made up of officials from the Walvis Bay Corridor Group, the Namibia Ports Authority and the Ministry of Works and Transport as well as other key industry stakeholders.
“The main aim of the trade mission is to engage the Zimbabwean business community, industries , economic sectors such as mining, agriculture, tourism, and manufacturing to explore the opportunities and viability of using the Walvis Bay Port and the Zimbabwe Dry Port facility for exports and imports to and from Zimbabwe,” the delegation said.
“The synergies and collaboration are aimed at promoting social, economic progress and enhancing deeper regional and continental integration. The joint group plans to have Information Sharing Sessions in Harare in Harare and Bulawayo as well as conduct business-to-business (B2B) engagement.”
The information sharing sessions will be held in Harare and Bulawayo on October 12 and 18 respectively.
The trade mission will also assess the two corridors—the Trans Kalahari Corridor and Walvis Bay-Ndola-Lubumbashi Development Corridor—that are linking the Por t of Walvis Bay with Zimbabwe.
The trade mission to Zimbabwe was preceded by the visit by Zimbabwe’s Transport and Infrastructure Development minister Felix Mhona in May 2021 to understand the operations of the Zimbabwe Dry Port facility and the Por t of Walvis Bay, as well as discuss issues of mutual interest between the two countries.
The Zimbabwe Dry Port was inaugurated by President Emmerson Mnangagwa in July 2019. The Dry Port will be used for the storage and handling of the landlocked country’s imports and exports to and from parts of the world.
Zimbabwe has been using ports in South Africa and Mozambique, which resulted in costly and time-consuming trade. Experts say the use of the port of Walvis Bay is expected to cut costs and time.
