The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform has signed a trade agreement with China that will allow Namibia to export mutton and chevon to that country.

The agreement was signed yesterday.

The General Administration of Customs in the Republic of China has been working on a protocol on inspection, quarantine and hygiene requirements for mutton and chevon products to be exported to China.

The Minister of Agriculture, Inge Zaamwani, says although demand exceeds supply, it will give farmers the opportunity to increase production.

Zaamwani added that it would also reduce the trade deficit between the two countries, having a positive impact on Namibia's economy.

"I really look forward to the signing of this agreement, which will have a positive impact on our trade relations and will go some way towards addressing the trade deficit between our two countries. And I would like to speak to our Namibian farmers to make use of the opportunities that the government is making available to them and to follow the relevant protocols to make sure that our meat can enter that market."

Vice Minister at the General Administration of Customs of China, Wang Lingjun, says the agreement is a testament to the strong ties between China and Namibia.

"The protocol we find today is a success of our previous works, and we should also work together to make more progress. I believe that by strengthening our joint efforts, we will see more quality food and agricultural products from Namibia."

Lingjun further said that the agreement lays a foundation for future negotiations, as they are currently consulting on the quarantine access of other Namibian products such as deep sea red crab and grapes.