Vice President Lucia Witbooi has called for stronger Namibian and Chinese investment partnerships focused on local value addition, job creation, and sustainable economic growth.

Keetmanshoop residents are currently receiving training in horticulture, mushroom cultivation and value addition to improve food security and livelihoods.

The training conducted by the University of Namibia (UNAM) started on Monday and will run until Thursday. 

"Garlic can be chopped up and then put in these containers. We invite food processors to come to Sikondo to see if we can collaborate on garlic processing. When you look at the garlic in all these retailers, it is mostly imported from South Africa. And it's such a simple crop to grow."

International Relations and Trade Minister Selma Ashipala-Musavyi has called on Chinese businesses to deepen trade ties by investing in value addition to Namibia’s natural resources. 

She made the remarks during a roundtable and networking engagement in Shenzhen, China. 

The Minister of International Relations and Trade said the report of Rapid Assessment on Value Addition and Diversification is the realisation of the eighth administration.

Selma Ashipala-Musavyi affirmed that the recommendations offer a foundation for informed decisions.

The recently launched Rapid Assessment Report on Value Addition and Diversification has identified an estimated N$ 811 million in worldwide market opportunities.

This is from 200 trade products identified across nine sectors under a global export scenario.

Namibia can no longer depend on exporting raw minerals alone but must focus on adding value to its natural resources to create jobs, grow the economy, and increase local participation in the mining sector.
 

Vice President Lucia Witbooi has highlighted the significance of trade fairs, by emphasising that they go beyond buying and selling.  

Witbooi shared this during the official opening of the Rundu Annual Trade Fair, noting that trade fairs empower and strengthen regional economic growth.

China's Ambassador to Namibia, Zhao Weiping, said Beijing supports Namibia's efforts to develop its manufacturing sector and increase local value addition.

Speaking to the media on Wednesday, Zhao noted that Chinese investments do not only focus on resource extraction.

BW Energy, an affiliate of the BW Group, says its mission in Namibia aligns with the government's resolve to promote value addition to resources locally.

The company has filed environmental documents to secure approval to drill appraisal wells on its Kudu Gas Field offshore.