SA, Namibia agree to deepen trade and investment

Cape Town – President Ramaphosa hosted Namibian President Hage Geingob on an official state visit at the Union Buildings in Tshwane on Thursday.

The visit was aimed at strengthening the two countries’ bilateral relations, enhancing economic cooperation, exploring trade and investment, and identifying new areas of cooperation.

According to the Department of International Relations and Co-operation, in 2022, SA imported R16.1 billion from Namibia and in turn, SA exported R56.5 billion to Namibia.

Ramaphosa thanked Geingob for honouring the invitation to pay a state visit.

“The purpose of the visit was to discuss, review and strengthen our political, social and economic relations. During our talks, we considered broad areas of cooperation and evaluated progress in implementation of previous decisions and agreements,

“We have agreed to deepen trade and investment between our two countries. Our ministers responsible for trade and industry will convene a Business Forum later this year to be attended by business people from both countries,” said Ramaphosa.

His Excellency President Cyril Ramaphosa and His Excellency President Hage Geingob lead their respective delegations in Official Talks on occasion of the Republic of Namibia State Visit at the Union Buildings in Tshwane. #NamibiaStateVisit #NamibiaInSA pic.twitter.com/vjnh2JTxcr

— South African Government (@GovernmentZA) April 20, 2023

He wished Namibia well in its role as chair of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation.

The two countries, which enjoy historic relations, were thrust into the public eye when Namibian authorities were implicated in helping cover up the Phala Phala farmhouse heist.

However, Geingob and Namibia’s police chief Sebastian Ndeitunga denied helping Ramaphosa who is accused of covering up 2020 $4 million in cash burglary at his farm.

Geingob denied helping Ramaphosa abduct and torture a suspect connected to the burglary.