The Swakopmund International Trade Expo opened with a call on the private and public sectors in Namibia and Zambia to cooperate in order to contribute to the development of the two countries.
The Presidents of Namibia and Zambia co-officiated the four-day event, aimed at promoting trade and investment.
Namibian President Hage Geingob says Africa is marching towards prosperity, which goes beyond consolidating peace to promoting rapid development.
"Yes, it is true that recently we witnessed some reversals, but I'm saying that Africa now has a constitutional governance architecture. I'm now being told yes, but there are coups happening in West Africa. It is true we condemn them, but when coups occur in those countries, as in the past, the west will guide us and condemn them. Now, it will be Africans who condemn them. It will be SADC and the AU that will kick them out until they correct the situation. I'm not contradicting myself when we talk about the new Africa. It is in this atmosphere of a new Africa that Swakopmund is hosting SWAiTEX 2022."
Dr Geingob further emphasised that despite political leaders' providing inspiration and vision, it is up to entrepreneurs and private investors to play an instrumental role in achieving development.
"Economic development cannot take place in a vacuum, and therefore we should use these platforms to foster a spirit of integration and cooperation."
On his part, Zambia's President Hakainde Hichilema noted that he had observed a trend where the private and public sectors in his country would treat each other like competitors instead of collaborating to bring development.
"I want to emphasize that by having my elder brother president here and myself here, I think we are sending a clear signal that public-private sector working together is not an issue of if you like short-changing each other or suspecting each other. This is what we would like it to be going forward, and if we are not doing it well, you will help us to do it well. I think because it's important and it should be what is normal and not what is rare."
A Namibia-Zambia business seminar will provide a platform for the private and public sectors to network, while the expo will allow a display of innovative products.
After opening the EXPO, the two presidents toured the stalls, which featured local businesses and public institutions.