NCCI signs MoUs with Asian business delegation

THE Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI) yesterday signed Agreements of Cooperation with the Korean International Trade Association (KITA) and the Associated Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia (ACCCIM) in a bid aimed at strengthening trade ties between Namibia and the Asian countries.

Realising the immense possibilities of promoting trade and investment for their respective business communities, the NCCI and the Associated Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia agreed to cooperate in the establishment and development of commercial and industrial ties. The signing of the two memorandums of understanding was between NCCI president Inge Zaamwani and KITA senior executive officer Dr Young-Soo Han; and another between NCCI chief executive officer Tarah Shaanika and KITA secretary general Tan Sri Dato’ Soong Siew Hoong.The MoUs which will start operating with immediate effect are for the institutions to cooperate in areas which include information, expertise, trade missions, investment seminars, business market information and personnel.Zaamwani said this was a welcome development which would cement the south-to-south trade co-operation, and said NCCI was looking forward to working closely in trade and investment issues with their Asian counterparts.She said black economic empowerment (BEE) was a critical issue locally and that her organisation hoped to learn from Asia how those particular countries handled empowering the previously economically disadvantaged.Zaamwani said NCCI would have meetings with its members to address the trade relations and opportunities between Namibia and Asia.Malaysia with a population of 24 million has evolved from being an agro-based economy to a manufacturing industry.Hoong said manufacturing products in Malaysia account for 85 per cent of that country’s gross domestic product, and would like to see his country doing trade in industry and technology especially in the Small to Medium business sector with Namibia.Dr Han said KITA and NCCI had the same goals of nation building which should see both countries benefiting mutually.The Korea International Trade Association and the Associated Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia are part of an Asian-Africa Investment and Technology Promotion Centre (AAITPC) delegation currently in the country.The 50-member delegation of entrepreneurs is on a four-day business mission to explore trade opportunities and set up ventures with the local business community.The delegation comprises members from China, South Korea, Indonesia, India and Malaysia.As part of this mission, the AAITPC delegation will leave for Mozambique today after completing the first-leg of the mission in the country.The signing of the two memorandums of understanding was between NCCI president Inge Zaamwani and KITA senior executive officer Dr Young-Soo Han; and another between NCCI chief executive officer Tarah Shaanika and KITA secretary general Tan Sri Dato’ Soong Siew Hoong.The MoUs which will start operating with immediate effect are for the institutions to cooperate in areas which include information, expertise, trade missions, investment seminars, business market information and personnel.Zaamwani said this was a welcome development which would cement the south-to-south trade co-operation, and said NCCI was looking forward to working closely in trade and investment issues with their Asian counterparts.She said black economic empowerment (BEE) was a critical issue locally and that her organisation hoped to learn from Asia how those particular countries handled empowering the previously economically disadvantaged.Zaamwani said NCCI would have meetings with its members to address the trade relations and opportunities between Namibia and Asia.Malaysia with a population of 24 million has evolved from being an agro-based economy to a manufacturing industry. Hoong said manufacturing products in Malaysia account for 85 per cent of that country’s gross domestic product, and would like to see his country doing trade in industry and technology especially in the Small to Medium business sector with Namibia.Dr Han said KITA and NCCI had the same goals of nation building which should see both countries benefiting mutually.The Korea International Trade Association and the Associated Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia are part of an Asian-Africa Investment and Technology Promotion Centre (AAITPC) delegation currently in the country.The 50-member delegation of entrepreneurs is on a four-day business mission to explore trade opportunities and set up ventures with the local business community.The delegation comprises members from China, South Korea, Indonesia, India and Malaysia.As part of this mission, the AAITPC delegation will leave for Mozambique today after completing the first-leg of the mission in the country.