Mugabe wants more trade with Namibia

VISITING Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe has reiterated an earlier statement that trade volumes between Namibia and Zimbabwe, although growing, were still low and more could be done to develop economic ties between the countries.

Addressing the business community at a gala dinner hosted in his honour in Windhoek on Wednesday, Mugabe said it was time SADC countries pooled together and used their vast resources to develop southern Africa. Trade between the two countries grew by 18,1 per cent from US$19,3 million in 2000 to over US$22 million in 2003.Bilateral agreements between the Namibia and Zimbabwe were first signed in 1992 and this week, the countries’ Ministers also signed a number of deals – which Mugabe said should be implemented to strengthen economic ties between Zimbabwe and Namibia.There are many opportunities which the two countries still need to exploit to their benefit, said Mugabe.In a wide-ranging, lengthy off-the-cuff delivery, Mugabe addressed a packed conference hall, often drawing applause and laughter from the gathering which included business and political personalities such as Andimba Toivo ya Toivo, Leake Hangala, Inge Zaamwani, Deena Chetty, Abraham Iyambo, Willem Konjore and Vekuii Rukoro.As expected, Mugabe touched on the land issue.”In West Africa there are sections marked French land …I hear Namibia is currently negotiating with the Germans to take land.I hope they listen; if they don’t listen like (Tony) Blair, then I know what they (Government) will do.But I believe that they will listen because they now know what the Africans can do,” he said.Zimbabwe has been marginalised by the West and has had economic sanctions imposed after the government’s controversial land reform exercise.The Governor of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, Gideon Gono, was quoted in the official Herald newspaper yesterday as saying that most of the resettled black farmers were failing to produce food for the country, once known as the breadbasket of Africa.Also, in order to keep up with runaway inflation currently at nearly 1 600 per cent, the RBZ yesterday unveiled new bank notes.The central bank released a new 50 000 Zimbabwe dollar note (US$200 at the official exchange rate), cranking up the face value of its highest bank note five times.On the illegal market, one US dollar can currently fetch up to Z$8 000.The fixed official exchange rate is Z$250 to US$1.Standing in for the Trade and Industry Minister, Mines and Energy Minister Erkki Nghmitina said Zimbabwe was a “tried and tested friend” whose support had been vital for Namibia since before independence.He urged local businesspeople to take advantage of Zimbabwe’s industrial skills, especially in manufacturing, adding that Zimbabwe had a proven track record in that area.Mugabe, who has been on a four-day state visit to Namibia, leaves the country today.Trade between the two countries grew by 18,1 per cent from US$19,3 million in 2000 to over US$22 million in 2003.Bilateral agreements between the Namibia and Zimbabwe were first signed in 1992 and this week, the countries’ Ministers also signed a number of deals – which Mugabe said should be implemented to strengthen economic ties between Zimbabwe and Namibia.There are many opportunities which the two countries still need to exploit to their benefit, said Mugabe.In a wide-ranging, lengthy off-the-cuff delivery, Mugabe addressed a packed conference hall, often drawing applause and laughter from the gathering which included business and political personalities such as Andimba Toivo ya Toivo, Leake Hangala, Inge Zaamwani, Deena Chetty, Abraham Iyambo, Willem Konjore and Vekuii Rukoro.As expected, Mugabe touched on the land issue.”In West Africa there are sections marked French land …I hear Namibia is currently negotiating with the Germans to take land.I hope they listen; if they don’t listen like (Tony) Blair, then I know what they (Government) will do.But I believe that they will listen because they now know what the Africans can do,” he said.Zimbabwe has been marginalised by the West and has had economic sanctions imposed after the government’s controversial land reform exercise.The Governor of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, Gideon Gono, was quoted in the official Herald newspaper yesterday as saying that most of the resettled black farmers were failing to produce food for the country, once known as the breadbasket of Africa.Also, in order to keep up with runaway inflation currently at nearly 1 600 per cent, the RBZ yesterday unveiled new bank notes.The central bank released a new 50 000 Zimbabwe dollar note (US$200 at the official exchange rate), cranking up the face value of its highest bank note five times.On the illegal market, one US dollar can currently fetch up to Z$8 000.The fixed official exchange rate is Z$250 to US$1.Standing in for the Trade and Industry Minister, Mines and Energy Minister Erkki Nghmitina said Zimbabwe was a “tried and tested friend” whose support had been vital for Namibia since before independence.He urged local businesspeople to take advantage of Zimbabwe’s industrial skills, especially in manufacturing, adding that Zimbabwe had a proven track record in that area.Mugabe, who has been on a four-day state visit to Namibia, leaves the country today.