NamPort gets American assistance

THE United States Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) will provide US$400 000 (about N$2,4 million) to the Namibian Ports Authority to assist the company in its port development and expansion project.

An official grant agreement was signed in Windhoek on Monday between the US Ambassador to Namibia, Joyce Barr, and Sebby Kankondi, the Namport Managing Director. Barr said that the grant was intended to provide technical assistance to Namport, specifically focusing on modernising information technology, security and petroleum-receiving operations in the ports of Walvis Bay and Luederitz.”Transportation infrastructure is critical to economic growth.As such, the US government has made transportation sector activities a priority in Namibia and the southern African region.Transportation remains an integral part of the US government’s support for the African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa),” she stressed.The American Ambassador said the technical assistance funded by the grant would help Namport meet its expanded trade capacity goals.”We believe that this Namport project will also help introduce US companies to the growing Namibian market in this sector and allow Namibia to explore US products and services for this and other similar projects,” said Barr.She said the project was a “perfect fit” with the US Mission’s goal of fostering economic prosperity and development in Namibia because it would have a positive impact on Namibia’s regional and global trade.Kankondi said it was important for Namport to sharpen its information technology system and vessel traffic-control system to be on par with new developments in the industry.- NampaBarr said that the grant was intended to provide technical assistance to Namport, specifically focusing on modernising information technology, security and petroleum-receiving operations in the ports of Walvis Bay and Luederitz.”Transportation infrastructure is critical to economic growth.As such, the US government has made transportation sector activities a priority in Namibia and the southern African region.Transportation remains an integral part of the US government’s support for the African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa),” she stressed.The American Ambassador said the technical assistance funded by the grant would help Namport meet its expanded trade capacity goals.”We believe that this Namport project will also help introduce US companies to the growing Namibian market in this sector and allow Namibia to explore US products and services for this and other similar projects,” said Barr.She said the project was a “perfect fit” with the US Mission’s goal of fostering economic prosperity and development in Namibia because it would have a positive impact on Namibia’s regional and global trade.Kankondi said it was important for Namport to sharpen its information technology system and vessel traffic-control system to be on par with new developments in the industry.- Nampa