Mugabe eyes building links with Erongo

NAMIBIA’S Erongo Region can become a key partner in Zimbabwe’s economic turnaround plan.

During his brief visit to Walvis Bay on Thursday, Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe said exporting and importing via the port of Walvis Bay rather than the often congested port in Cape Town, could enable the shipment of goods to and from Zimbabwe to happen much faster. Mugabe said as Namibian President Hifikepunye Pohamba had invited Zimbabwe to use NamPort facilities, he would urge his government to take advantage of the offer.Zimbabwe’s main exports include tobacco, beef and cocoa.Namibia’s rapid progress in uranium mining has also caught the attention of the Zimbabwean leader.He said uranium deposits had recently been discovered in his country, but added tongue-in-cheek that it is a very sensitive issue: “We don’t want [George W] Bush to say we’re developing weapons of mass destruction.”He said Zimbabwe could share Namibia’s experience in the uranium mining industry.”You have the necessary expertise in your country.We know if your partners can be trusted here, we can also trust them in Zimbabwe.But not those companies without credentials.”Last week’s visit was aimed at creating close co-operation between the two countries in various sectors and to promote the addition of value to raw products before being exported.”This is where Africa is a page behind; we export our raw products.In a good rain season, we produce about 500 000 tonnes of cotton, but we only use some 35 per cent locally.The rest we export as lint to Europe and other markets.Our cotton is hand picked and therefore quite clean and quite white,” he said.”Countries in our region should combine forces in terms of value addition to our products.”According to Mugabe, tourism was an expanding industry in Zimbabwe and the Erongo Region, as the heart of Namibia’s tourism, could serve as an example from which to learn about the hospitality industry and eco-tourism.”Namibia is a partner dear to our hearts,” Mugabe said, “and we are looking for more partners with whom we can create a win-win situation.”He urged possible investors: “Don’t be frightened by what you read on the Internet about the monstrous character named Robert Mugabe.We have taken strong action on the lands issue, but we will not tamper with investments.We will protect them.We have strong sectors; now we need capital to develop it and raise our GDP to the benefit of our people.”The negative image of Zimbabwe was based on misconceptions, he said.”We’ve made our position clear and we repeat it everywhere to make people understand.The United States and Britain did not make good on their promise to make a contribution to land reform, and we have many people to resettle.So we decided that we shall take the land in terms of farmer compensation: the money is yours and the land is ours.”Namibian Fisheries Minister Abraham Iyambo introduced Mugabe as “a son of the African soil and a son of Namibian soil.He is a giant in our history.He is holding his head and chest high and stands firm against injustice.”Erongo Regional Governor Samuel Nuuyoma welcomed Mugabe and the envisaged partnership with Zimbabwe, adding that Africa should handle its own affairs without interference.Mugabe said as Namibian President Hifikepunye Pohamba had invited Zimbabwe to use NamPort facilities, he would urge his government to take advantage of the offer.Zimbabwe’s main exports include tobacco, beef and cocoa.Namibia’s rapid progress in uranium mining has also caught the attention of the Zimbabwean leader.He said uranium deposits had recently been discovered in his country, but added tongue-in-cheek that it is a very sensitive issue: “We don’t want [George W] Bush to say we’re developing weapons of mass destruction.”He said Zimbabwe could share Namibia’s experience in the uranium mining industry.”You have the necessary expertise in your country.We know if your partners can be trusted here, we can also trust them in Zimbabwe.But not those companies without credentials.”Last week’s visit was aimed at creating close co-operation between the two countries in various sectors and to promote the addition of value to raw products before being exported.”This is where Africa is a page behind; we export our raw products.In a good rain season, we produce about 500 000 tonnes of cotton, but we only use some 35 per cent locally.The rest we export as lint to Europe and other markets.Our cotton is hand picked and therefore quite clean and quite white,” he said.”Countries in our region should combine forces in terms of value addition to our products.”According to Mugabe, tourism was an expanding industry in Zimbabwe and the Erongo Region, as the heart of Namibia’s tourism, could serve as an example from which to learn about the hospitality industry and eco-tourism.”Namibia is a partner dear to our hearts,” Mugabe said, “and we are looking for more partners with whom we can create a win-win situation.”He urged possible investors: “Don’t be frightened by what you read on the Internet about the monstrous character named Robert Mugabe.We have taken strong action on the lands issue, but we will not tamper with investments.We will protect them.We have strong sectors; now we need capital to develop it and raise our GDP to the benefit of our people.”The negative image of Zimbabwe was based on misconceptions, he said.”We’ve made our position clear and we repeat it everywhere to make people understand.The United States and Britain did not make good on their promise to make a contribution to land reform, and we have many people to resettle.So we decided that we shall take the land in terms of farmer compensation: the money is yours and the land is ours.”Namibian Fisheries Minister Abraham Iyambo introduced Mugabe as “a son of the African soil and a son of Namibian soil.He is a giant in our history.He is holding his head and chest high and stands firm against injustice.”Erongo Regional Governor Samuel Nuuyoma welcomed Mugabe and the envisaged partnership with Zimbabwe, adding that Africa should handle its own affairs without interference.