The International Relations and Trade Minister, Selma Ashipala-Musavyi, has informed the National Assembly that the absence of ratification continues to complicate trade between the neighbouring countries.

She was responding to AR MP Fredrick Shitana, who questioned why certain products restricted at border points were reportedly being sold in large shops, despite traders being prevented from bringing them into the country.

Shitana sought clarity on whether the sale of the products were part of new trade arrangements, particularly between Namibia and Angola.

“It's just a clarification: is it now part of the new agreement that was signed, or what is happening there because the big shops are selling those products?"

Ashipala-Musavyi explained that cross-border trade was among the key issues discussed during the state visit but said Angola had signed the relevant standard trade protocol without ratifying it.

She said Angola had assured Namibia that it would ratify and gazette its accession to the protocol, which is necessary to facilitate formal trade between the two countries.
Ashipala-Musavyi said she would need to establish whether the shops referred to by Shitana were operating in Namibia or Angola but maintained that trade would remain difficult without the required ratification.

“Angola has assured us that they will soon ratify and gazette their accession to the standard trade protocol. Without that, trading between our two countries will be very difficult and almost illegal.”