Namibia to export meat directly to Finland

NAMIBIA might soon export meat directly to Finland and a Finnish delegation currently in the country will look at developing direct distribution chains of Namibian meat to the Nordic markets and to boost general trade between both countries.

Finland is looking to import beef, lamb and venison from Namibia.
‘We expect to already see some immediate results from this visit in the short term and to give but one example, the meat sector,’ the Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s (NCCI) Chief Executive Officer Tarah Shaanika said on Thursday at a media briefing.
Some meat exports have to go through South Africa and this is making the process costly, he said. ‘We, therefore, look forward to a more cost-effective and efficient process of exporting our meat to the Nordic markets,’ Shaanika said.
Finnish Provincial Veterinary Officer Kirsi Sario is already in Namibia to inspect local abattoirs.
According to Sario, ‘several abattoirs located from Oshivelo towards the south have been approved to export meat to Finland as they have enough capacity and they meet with European Union (EU) standards’.
The visit of a delegation of Finnish entrepreneurs is aimed at promoting business co-operation and partnerships between the two countries.
Namibia’s exports to Finland grew from about N$810 million in 2004 to over N$1 billion by 2007.
The Finnish delegation will also travel to Keetmanshoop, Ondangwa, Swakopmund and Walvis Bay for business meetings.
– Nampa