President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah on Tuesday commissioned Christine ||Hoebes as Namibia’s high commissioner-designate to Malaysia, tasking her with advancing the country’s economic diplomacy and strengthening bilateral relations.
Speaking at State House in Windhoek, Nandi-Ndaitwah said ||Hoebes will represent the president, government and people of Namibia, with the responsibility of safeguarding the country’s sovereignty and promoting its national interests.
The president urged her to deepen political dialogue, attract quality investment, expand market access for Namibian products, promote tourism and facilitate technology transfer and academic partnerships.
“Economic diplomacy must remain at the centre of Namibia’s engagement with Malaysia,” she said.
Nandi-Ndaitwah emphasised opportunities in renewable energy, oil and gas services, logistics, ports development, green industrialisation and digital transformation.
She noted that Malaysia remains one of Namibia’s key trading partners in Asia and said the introduction of visa-free travel for Namibians presents new opportunities to grow trade, investment and people-to-people exchanges.
She said ||Hoebes must ensure her work contributes to the implementation of Vision 2030, the Sixth National Development Plan (NDP6), and the priorities of Namibia’s eighth administration.
The president also called on the envoy to maintain close contact with Namibians living in Malaysia and encourage them to contribute their skills, expertise and investments to Namibia’s development.
Nandi-Ndaitwah said Namibia and Malaysia have enjoyed cordial relations since Malaysia supported Namibia’s struggle for independence, with cooperation expanding in higher education, technical training, trade and multilateral diplomacy since independence in 1990.
