Namibia-China trip opens door for agricultural equipment plant

By: Ritta Lotto

President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah said they have formed partnership with Chinese investors to set up an agricultural equipment plant in Namibia.

She said the agriculture, energy and mining sectors are expected to be the first to benefit from cooperation resulting from the visit to China.

The president made the remarks on Thursday during a press briefing while on week-long state visit to China.

Nandi-Ndaitwah explained that the plant is expected to manufacture affordable agricultural machineries, while spare parts and servicing would be readily available.

“They will be competitive, we are informed. They are going to be cheaper. The spare parts will not be a problem. Servicing will not be a problem. So definitely if we can get that, agriculture will benefit…. Some (equipment) can be used just in your household.
Some can be used in small scale farming. And others can be used in big farming,” remarked the president.

Nandi-Ndaitwah said processing remains a priority, noting that value addition should take place in Namibia before products are exported to international markets, including China.

“We are going to put emphasis on the issue of value addition and processing to take place in Namibia. So from there now, I will be able to know as how many they will put up those processing. But from the discussions I had with some enterprises, particularly
the partners, there are hopes of those processes taking place, “said Nandi-Ndaitwah.

In addition, Nandi-Ndaitwah said the binding energy agreement signed during the visit could support the local manufacturing of solar panel components, helping close the energy gap and create opportunities beyond agriculture.

“And they are focusing on closing the energy gap, not only for Namibia, but for the southern region. So, the possibility is that from that agreement signed, we might even find that solar panels, if they are not being processed in Namibia from zero, at least
there will be some components that will be concluded in Namibia,” she said.

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