The Swakopmund International Trade Expo (SWAITEX) has opened with a call on Botswana and Namibia to enhance trade beyond diamonds.
During the official opening, Botswana's President, Dr. Mokgweetsi Masisi, said the bilateral trade primarily revolves around the exchange of diamonds, but a lot more can still be done.
The Presidents of Namibia and Botswana co-officiated the six-day event, aimed at promoting intra-African trade and investment.
President Nangolo Mbumba lauded the historic and modern relations between the two countries.
"Many of us recall the brotherly friendship that our esteemed guest of honour shared with our late President, Dr. Geingob. It was deep and genuine between the two like-minded leaders, which provided a platform for the enhancement of Namibia and Botswana relations and delivered the much-lauded launch on February 24, 2023, of the use of national identity cards as travel documents between Namibia and Botswana."
Botswana President Mokgweetsi Masisi said there is potential for the two countries to escalate collaboration in areas such as tourism, animal disease control, abattoir and meat hygiene practices, as well as wildlife conservation.
Dr. Masisi revealed that the two countries have ratified regional agreements aimed at establishing a single market, and there are ongoing efforts to enhance infrastructure.
"It is with pleasure that I announce the agreement to establish a one-stop border post in Mamuno, reflecting the advancement of negotiations on the draft agreement for the one-stop border post. This progress follows Namibia's enactment of the One-stop Border Post Act, underscoring our commitment to streamlining border processes for increased efficiency."
According to President Masisi, the other potential area of collaboration exists in the energy sector, where the Botswana Oil Company and Namibia National Petroleum Corporation want to set up shared fuel storage facilities at Walvis Bay.
"Additionally, discussions include joint efforts to fuel transportation and coordinated approaches towards sourcing oil from Angola; that's before you source your own oil, Mr. President. As much as Angola offered Botswana an equity stake in its oil refinery, Namibia too was offered an equity stake in that refinery, and I can reliably inform you that we in Botswana have said yes, and we are going to take up and pay for that equity in that refinery. I'm assuming the same applies to Namibia."
Apart from businesses showcasing their innovative products, the expo will provide networking platforms.