Namibia, Sweden sign final agreement

THE governments of Sweden and Namibia on Monday signed their last agreement on development co-operation amounting to SEK30 million (about N$32 million) that will run for a period of two years, beginning this year.

The agreement, signed by the Swedish Ambassador to Namibia based in South Africa, Anders Mollander, and the Director General of the National Planning Commission (NPC), Helmut Angula, was the last of Sweden’s bilateral development assistance to Namibia and some African states perceived as middle-income countries. The other countries affected are South Africa, Botswana and Angola.Speaking at the signing ceremony, Angula said the agreement would cover education, good governance and natural resources in addition to continued cooperation in HIV-AIDS and poverty alleviation.The NPC Director General said the cooperation was aimed at realising the goals and objectives of Namibia’s development plans and Vision 2030.Angula furthermore expressed the hope that the phasing out of the development aid by Sweden would not negatively impact on development projects and activities, especially those that contribute to the socio-economic upliftment of the poorer communities in the country.”The agreement will cover two years, starting this year, after which Sweden will have phased out its bilateral development assistance to Namibia.We hope this will not impact negatively on other development projects contributing to the well-being of poor communities,” stressed Angula.Ambassador Mollander said the agreement signified a new partnership on equal terms of cooperation between the two countries.”The agreement is aimed at contributing to equitable and sustainable development, and create conditions for poor Namibians to improve their living conditions.The trade grant (support) is also giving way for partnerships in different areas of mutual interest,” the ambassador noted.Mollander said steps have already been taken that would boost key priority areas in the country, including trade, tourism and investments.He cited the ongoing International Trade Management Programme and present plans for tourist delegations to Namibia as part of Sweden’s future economic plans for Namibia.The Swedish plan to close their embassy after 2008, but put emphasis on the continued future cooperation.NampaThe other countries affected are South Africa, Botswana and Angola.Speaking at the signing ceremony, Angula said the agreement would cover education, good governance and natural resources in addition to continued cooperation in HIV-AIDS and poverty alleviation.The NPC Director General said the cooperation was aimed at realising the goals and objectives of Namibia’s development plans and Vision 2030.Angula furthermore expressed the hope that the phasing out of the development aid by Sweden would not negatively impact on development projects and activities, especially those that contribute to the socio-economic upliftment of the poorer communities in the country.”The agreement will cover two years, starting this year, after which Sweden will have phased out its bilateral development assistance to Namibia.We hope this will not impact negatively on other development projects contributing to the well-being of poor communities,” stressed Angula.Ambassador Mollander said the agreement signified a new partnership on equal terms of cooperation between the two countries.”The agreement is aimed at contributing to equitable and sustainable development, and create conditions for poor Namibians to improve their living conditions.The trade grant (support) is also giving way for partnerships in different areas of mutual interest,” the ambassador noted.Mollander said steps have already been taken that would boost key priority areas in the country, including trade, tourism and investments.He cited the ongoing International Trade Management Programme and present plans for tourist delegations to Namibia as part of Sweden’s future economic plans for Namibia.The Swedish plan to close their embassy after 2008, but put emphasis on the continued future cooperation.Nampa