Nujoma, Lula discuss defence co-operation

SAO PAULO – President Sam Nujoma on Monday met his Brazilian counterpart Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva to discuss increased trade between the two countries, including defence equipment, and bilateral co-operation.

The main topic discussed was defence co-operation. Brazil is trying to close a US$35 million (N$220 million) deal to sell a ship and five patrol boats to the Namibian navy, said a Brazilian official.Also on Monday, in an effort to attract investment to Namibia, Nujoma opened a meeting among Namibian and Brazilian businessmen.Besides trade and defence, Lula offered to help Namibia in agricultural technology and health, particularly in AIDS prevention programmes.Nujoma was set to visit Rio de Janeiro yesterday to tour the navy and plane carrier arsenal prior to returning to Namibia.Pedro Motta Coelho, who heads the Africa department at the Brazilian foreign ministry, said Brazil planned to donate a frigate to Namibia as part of the defence deal.The frigate will be handed over on Friday at the Aratu Navy Base in Bahia state.The official said that although trade between Namibia and Brazil is low, there are good chances to increase trade, because Namibia is a member of a customs union of southern African countries.That group is negotiating a free trade accord with the Mercosur, the trade bloc made up of Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay.”Namibia is a country that offers great opportunities for investment and is an example in political terms of a country that is democratically consolidated,” he said.- Sapa-DPABrazil is trying to close a US$35 million (N$220 million) deal to sell a ship and five patrol boats to the Namibian navy, said a Brazilian official.Also on Monday, in an effort to attract investment to Namibia, Nujoma opened a meeting among Namibian and Brazilian businessmen.Besides trade and defence, Lula offered to help Namibia in agricultural technology and health, particularly in AIDS prevention programmes.Nujoma was set to visit Rio de Janeiro yesterday to tour the navy and plane carrier arsenal prior to returning to Namibia.Pedro Motta Coelho, who heads the Africa department at the Brazilian foreign ministry, said Brazil planned to donate a frigate to Namibia as part of the defence deal.The frigate will be handed over on Friday at the Aratu Navy Base in Bahia state.The official said that although trade between Namibia and Brazil is low, there are good chances to increase trade, because Namibia is a member of a customs union of southern African countries.That group is negotiating a free trade accord with the Mercosur, the trade bloc made up of Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay.”Namibia is a country that offers great opportunities for investment and is an example in political terms of a country that is democratically consolidated,” he said.- Sapa-DPA