President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah commissioned Christine ||Hoebes as the High Commissioner designate to Malaysia for four years.
During the commissioning ceremony at Statehouse, Dr. Nandi-Ndaitwah tasked ||Hoebes to focus on translating the longstanding friendship between the two countries into tangible economic opportunities.
The Head of State says Namibia and Malaysia share longstanding cordial relations founded on mutual respect, solidarity and shared aspirations for development.
The relations date back to Namibia's struggle for independence, and after independence, diplomatic relations between the two nations continue to flourish.
Malaysia is a valued development partner to Namibia, mainly in the field of higher education; technical training and capacity building and economic cooperation between the two countries continue to grow.
"You are therefore expected to deepen political dialogue and economic diplomacy, promote high-level exchanges, facilitate and implement bilateral agreements where appropriate, and encourage private sector collaboration that strengthens people-to-people exchanges between our two countries. Particular attention should be given to attracting quality investments to Namibia, expanding market access for Namibian products, promoting tourism, facilitating technology transfer and encouraging academic and research partnerships between our institutions. The government's policy of economic diplomacy must remain at the centre of your work."
Dr. Nandi-Ndaitwah further noted the untapped potential to diversify bilateral trade and encourage greater investment in priority sectors.
"Opportunities are also made easier by the introduction of a visa-free travel policy for Namibian citizens to travel to Malaysia. There are also significant opportunities for enhanced collaboration in renewable energy, oil and gas services, logistics, ports development, green industrialisation, tourism promotion, among others. There remains considerable untapped potential to diversify bilateral trade and encourage greater investment in priority sectors."
Before her appointment, the High Commissioner-designate Christine ||Hoebes served as the Senior Adviser in the Office of the President.
"I regard this appointment not merely as a personal honour, but as a solemn duty to faithfully represent the Republic of Namibia, promote our national interests, and strengthen the bonds of friendship and cooperation between Namibia and Malaysia. I am deeply conscious of the high expectations that accompany this appointment, as you have just now charged me. I therefore accept this responsibility with commitment, integrity, and determination to serve our country with distinction."
||Hoebes is also tasked with cultivating partnerships that can support Namibia's digital transformation agenda, as Malaysia is recognised as one of Asia's leaders in digital transformation.