By: Justicia Shipena
Trade minister Lucia Iipumbu says trade statistics between Zambia and Namibia indicate about US$106 million to US$130 million of Zambian imports are from Namibia.
Iipumbu said this during the second day of the Swakopmund International Trade Expo (SWAiTEX) – Namibia- Zambia business seminar last week.
The SWAiTEX expo provided various activities and entertainment options including fashion shows, live music, and outside activities for children and the youth. The expo pumped over N$1,24 million into the local community, giving life to many small and medium-sized businesses for goods and services procured for use during SWAiTEX in 2019.
“Between US$1,198,274 – US$1,328,840 Namibian imports from Zambia,” said the minister.
The statistics are said to be from 2019 to 2021.
She added that the statistics show that Zambia has the potential to export maize, sugar, and copper to Namibia.
Iipumbu stated that Namibia has exported potential fish, beer, cosmetics, and salt to Zambia.
“The trade statistics indicate the existing trade potential between the two countries, and our business community is urged to engage in massive business diversification initiatives and utilise the untapped opportunities including engaging into regional value chains development, to grow their businesses and meaningfully contribute to our economies,” expressed Iipumbu.
The minister also said current trade statistics among the African Member States fall below the desired level.
“As the intra-Africa trade stood at a mere 17 percent among ourselves as opposed to over 70 percent with Europe, as well as over 50 percent with Asia. While our continent is endowed with the abundance of natural resources, most are exported as primary products to the rest of the world, and create employment opportunities elsewhere while our people suffer in poverty.“
On the Covid-19 pandemic, the minister said the pandemic and the tensions between Russia and Ukraine have taught the trade industry many lessons.
“One critical lesson is the need to intensify self-sustenance and upscale our production capacity.”
Iipumbu further said it is vital that the Namibia Standards Institution (NSI) and the Zambia Bureau of Standards (ZABS) join hands to streamline standards procedures and harmonise the standardisation requirements of its products for easy access to markets.
In this vein, she said the ministry established an online import and export application system that enables traders to apply for permits under its comfort zones.
Iipumbu said the system has since reduced the turn-around time from about a week to less than 24 hours.
“The system generates a digitally signed permit that the trade can present to the customs officials and clearing procedures for cross border declarations.”
She encouraed the two countries to actively engage in critical matters that concern their economies to ensure “that the outcome of this engagement should be followed by actionable items for consideration.”
The third edition of the expo is being held under the theme ‘Towards a shared economic vision, our shared destiny.’
President Hage Geingob officiated the opening of the event on Wednesday with Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema.
About U$106 of Zambian imports are from Namibia – Lucia Iipumbu
