Namibia offers Singapore a way to the region’s trade heart, says President

NAMIBIA could become the gateway to trade in southern Africa for Singapore through export incentives, President Hifikepunye Pohamba told his counterpart from Singapore, President Sellapan Rama Nathan, at State House yesterday.

President Nathan arrived in Windhoek for a three-day state visit to Namibia. He is on an African trip, which includes South Africa and Botswana.”The Namibian Government has introduced generous investment packages for manufacturers and exporters,” Pohamba said.”We have a tax-free incentive for exports made in Namibia’s export processing zones.”President Pohamba said he hoped that the two countries would soon sign two agreements, one on the avoidance of double taxation and one regarding air services.For his part, President Nathan said he was aware that Namibia was seeking assistance from Singapore to establish a fish-feed plant in Namibia for its expanding aquaculture sector and to send exports to train Namibians in the management of its two ports, Walvis Bay and Luederitz.”We will consider your government’s requests,” Nathan said at the start of the official talks.”Had we known that before our trip, we would have brought the appropriate experts.However, we will consider sending experts in these fields later.”A small business delegation from Singapore held separate talks with the Namibian business sector yesterday.The Singapore president will visit a Windhoek diamond cutting and polishing plant today.On Saturday, he will travel to the coast, where he will visit a fish factory, several oyster and abalone projects and the harbour town of Walvis Bay.He is expected to travel to Botswana on Sunday.He is on an African trip, which includes South Africa and Botswana.”The Namibian Government has introduced generous investment packages for manufacturers and exporters,” Pohamba said.”We have a tax-free incentive for exports made in Namibia’s export processing zones.”President Pohamba said he hoped that the two countries would soon sign two agreements, one on the avoidance of double taxation and one regarding air services.For his part, President Nathan said he was aware that Namibia was seeking assistance from Singapore to establish a fish-feed plant in Namibia for its expanding aquaculture sector and to send exports to train Namibians in the management of its two ports, Walvis Bay and Luederitz.”We will consider your government’s requests,” Nathan said at the start of the official talks.”Had we known that before our trip, we would have brought the appropriate experts.However, we will consider sending experts in these fields later.”A small business delegation from Singapore held separate talks with the Namibian business sector yesterday.The Singapore president will visit a Windhoek diamond cutting and polishing plant today.On Saturday, he will travel to the coast, where he will visit a fish factory, several oyster and abalone projects and the harbour town of Walvis Bay.He is expected to travel to Botswana on Sunday.