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.

The Bank of Namibia has announced the maintenance of the repo rate at 7.75 percent, a decision coming on the heels of the recent drop in local fuel prices.

This move is expected to bring a sigh of relief across the nation amid economic challenges.

Central bank Governor Johannes !Gawaxab, at the year's sixth Monetary Policy announcement, explained the decision as based on supporting the domestic economy and safeguarding the one-on-one peg between the Namibian dollar and the South African Rand.

Employers are urged to be just in the way they treat security guards, particularly when it comes to remuneration and conditions of employment.

This call was made when the Security Association of Namibia celebrated the men and women in uniform in the security cluster at its 31-year anniversary.

With the safety and security of all Namibians a key duty of all security forces in the country, the sector is faced with serious challenges.

The President of the Security Association of Namibia, Dhiginina Uutaapama, highlighted the troubles faced by security guards.

Namibians have been urged to plant more trees than the number of those they cut down.

The Minister of Environment, Forestry, and Tourism, Pohamba Shifeta, made the call at the celebration of National Arbor Day at Osona village in Okahandja. 

The day was commemorated under the theme "Forest and Health".

"Trees provide more than just shade or shelter, they also provide food.Cutting them down deforests the already dry and semi-affected countries, such as Namibia."

The business communities from Namibia and South Africa held their first-ever business forum with the aim of deepening their economic ties.

The Minister of Industrialization and Trade, Lucia Iipumbu, is concerned about the unequal trade between the two countries, with South Africa dominating the partnership.

South Africa remains one of Namibia's main trading partners, with exports standing at 27%. On average, trade relations between the two countries reflect a trade balance of N$30 billion in favour of South Africa.

Namibia's economy is reported to have recovered in 2023 and will see a strong rebound in mineral production.

This was revealed by the International Monetary Fund at a media briefing on its mission conclusion for Namibia.

The IMF conducted discussions for the 2023 Article IV consultation in the country, which commenced on the 18th of September and ended on the 2nd of October.

IMF Mission Chief for Namibia, Jaroslaw Wieczorek, said that Namibia is on the back of sustainable mining growth and a recovery in tourism, and its GDP grew by 4.6 percent in 2022.

With just one day remaining until the conclusion of the Windhoek Agricultural, Livestock, and Motor Show, local entrepreneurs have seized the opportunity to showcase their products and strive for profitability at this grand event.

The showgrounds have become a bustling hub for a diverse range of participants, including traditional food stalls, automobile enthusiasts, skilled technicians, and agriculture aficionados.  The local entrepreneurial spirit is in full swing, with many individuals venturing into innovative product lines sourced from organic, locally available materials.

After losing his job in the fishing industry, a former fisherman at Walvis Bay is now in the business of selling farming nets, agricultural netting, ropes, and other accessories along the highway, along the northern industrial area.

Business Today visited the busy man on the street to find out what it was like to make a living from his chosen trade.

Illegal trade in ozone-depleting substances is a challenge for many businesses across Africa.

To address these issues, members of the Customs Unit commenced with the National Ozone Unit, Customs Twinning Workshop, and Border Dialogue in the capital for countries within the SADC region.

Data sharing and effective communication with the National Ozone Unit and Border Trade Control and Management of Confiscated Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS) can be one of the solutions for Namibia to prevent counterfeit goods from entering the country.

Vendors who sell their products alongside the road leading to Chinatown Market in Windhoek are not happy with the way Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRA) is purportedly handling their businesses.

They have expressed worry over the products being seized by the revenue agency as part of its campaign to punish companies that manufacture counterfeit items.

These are the vendors conducting business outside Chinatown and selling cosmetic and medicinal products. They expressed dismay with the methods employed by NamRA in its operations.