Germany gives N$60m for SADC projects

WINDHOEK – The German Embassy here has made N$60 million available for the development co-operation programme in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region.

The programme is targeted at supporting the SADC reform process, the implementation of the SADC Protocol as well as the management of cross-boundary natural resources (water and other eco-systems). Germany’s Ambassador to Namibia, Wolfgang Massing, said this at the official opening of a five-day workshop on proficiency testing for water testing laboratories in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) member states Monday.He said the workshop takes place within the framework of the longstanding cooperation between Germany and SADC countries which dates back already to the 1980s.He added that this cooperation is based on the conviction that regional cooperation is key to helping face global, political, economic and ecological challenges.Regional cooperation is not only a central element in preventing and resolving conflicts and thus contributing to security and stability but also means increased dynamism and development opportunities, he noted.Massing said economic integration gives people and enterprises greater opportunities that bring higher growth rate and attract direct investment.The ambassador explained that since most countries economic and political options are limited, greater regional cooperation opens up new opportunities that apply to broader regional public goods like water, energy, natural zones and infrastructure.He commended the Namibian Government and all SADC member states for their commitment and effort to strengthen the SADC institution and for promoting the role of SADC in the African Union (AU) and New Economic Partnership for Africa’s Development (Nepad) contexts.The workshop ends Friday.-NampaGermany’s Ambassador to Namibia, Wolfgang Massing, said this at the official opening of a five-day workshop on proficiency testing for water testing laboratories in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) member states Monday. He said the workshop takes place within the framework of the longstanding cooperation between Germany and SADC countries which dates back already to the 1980s. He added that this cooperation is based on the conviction that regional cooperation is key to helping face global, political, economic and ecological challenges. Regional cooperation is not only a central element in preventing and resolving conflicts and thus contributing to security and stability but also means increased dynamism and development opportunities, he noted. Massing said economic integration gives people and enterprises greater opportunities that bring higher growth rate and attract direct investment. The ambassador explained that since most countries economic and political options are limited, greater regional cooperation opens up new opportunities that apply to broader regional public goods like water, energy, natural zones and infrastructure. He commended the Namibian Government and all SADC member states for their commitment and effort to strengthen the SADC institution and for promoting the role of SADC in the African Union (AU) and New Economic Partnership for Africa’s Development (Nepad) contexts. The workshop ends Friday. -Nampa