Russia Federation Deputy Prime Minister Yury Trutnev met with International Relations and Cooperation Minister Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah to discuss areas of cooperation and strengthen their trade relations.

Trade relations between the two countries have declined owing to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine as well as other external factors.

Nandi-Ndaitwah urged the Russians to find a democratic solution to solve the conflict, adding that Namibia believes in peace and stability.

'' Your Excellency on the Economic Front Industrialization is one of the critical pillars of our development, and we want to strengthen it through our cooperation to the Russian Federation. And in an effort to promote and implement different industrialization programmes, the Russian Federation remains an important partner in many ways.
We have noted that there's been a decrease in the importation of wheat from Russian cooperation by the Namibian private sector, who are the main players, and I'm sure we will be able to look into this very seriously.''

The Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation, Yury Trutnev, pledged to enhance trade and bilateral relations with Namibia, saying the private sector is ready to invest in Namibia.

''As I was preparing for this meeting, and held a number of consultations with the Russian companies that are interested in investing in Namibia. I hope that we will have the opportunity to discuss these proposals. I would like to assure you that no matter any breaks happen in regards with our context, the Russian Federation still values their friendship, which is the basis of our cooperation. ''

Namibia and Russia's cooperation has been strong in the areas of agriculture and the health sector.

The Russian Federation will host the 10th session of the Intergovernmental
Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation in March 2024

''Namibia looks forward to a fruitful deliberative session. I am aware that there are some outstanding issues that need to be ironed out before the upcoming meeting. I therefore wish to urge our technical teams to ensure that such issues are dealt with timeously. I also wish to implore that the implementation of signed legal frameworks should start. And where execution of the agreements and memoranda of understanding has commenced, it should be consistent.''