Namibia is set to host the second Namibia-European Union Business Forum from the 12th to the 13th of May.
This marks a key milestone in strengthening economic ties and advancing investment cooperation between the two partners.
The EU remains one of Namibia's largest export markets, and the forum is expected to further boost trade relations while attracting new investment into key sectors.
The sectors include green hydrogen and renewable energy, critical raw materials, agribusiness, cultural and creative industries, and automotive.
Namibia's national priorities under the 6th National Development Plan align with these sectors, which are vital for economic transformation and job creation.
Namibia's growing role in the development of green energy is expected to be the main focus, especially because of its partnership with the EU.
Strategic infrastructure such as the ports of Walvis Bay and Lüderitz will be highlighted as key logistics and industrial hubs supporting regional and global trade.
The acting Executive Director in the Ministry of International Relations and Trade, Asser Nashiaku, said, "These ports offer Namibia a unique opportunity to enhance trade facilitation, support the development of regional and global value chains, and position the country as a gateway for trade and investment into the Southern African region. The business forum will also feature cross-cutting areas, such as skill developments, where masterclasses and seminars will be offered to strengthen private sector capacity."
The session will thus cover rules of origin and cumulation as applied under the SADC EU EPA.
A major highlight will be the presentation of 30 bankable Namibian projects to potential investors to bridge the gap between business opportunities and financing.
EU Ambassador to Namibia Ana Beatriz Martins added, "To also work on sustainable raw material value chains while backing these two sectors with resources and political will and triggering the domino effect of networking relationships and private sector partnerships. From our side, we have been able, as Team Europe, together with member states, to mobilise grants and loans in the order of 1.2 billion euros for this commitment. And there are around 20 billion euros in the pipeline from the private sector to be invested as these new industrial sectors are evolving."
The event is expected to attract around 400 participants, meeting in Windhoek under the theme "Towards Stronger, Greener and More Diversified Economies: Catalysing Business and Trade Opportunities between the EU and Namibia".