Staff Reporter
ONE of the key outcomes of the Namibia–Russia Business Forum is the potential establishment of a fertiliser manufacturing plant aimed at supporting agricultural green schemes across Namibia.
“I have glanced through the outcome document of the business forum and am happy to note that follow-up activities have been identified. The establishment of a fertiliser manufacturing plant, as a means of supporting the various agricultural green schemes across the country, was also discussed in the agricultural breakaway group. The discussion focused on the meat and poultry industries, and in these projects Namibia would appreciate the support of the Russian Federation,” the Minister of International Relations and Trade, Selma Ashipala-Musavyi, said.
Photos: Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation-Namibia
She made these remarks during the recent Ministerial Session of the Namibia–Russia Intergovernmental Commission (IGC). The session, which followed the business forum, was co-chaired by Ashipala-Musavyi and Russia’s Deputy Prime Minister, Yury Trutnev, who also serves as Plenipotentiary Presidential Envoy to the Far Eastern Federal District.
“The fertiliser plant will not only reduce costs, but will also boost agricultural production at the existing project sites and increase output for those doing farming at the subsistence level. In the long run, this will translate into reduced dependence on food imports and position Namibia to export both food and fertiliser to other African countries in the context of the African Continental Free Trade Area,” Ashipala-Musavyi continued.
She added that there are many other areas with potential for cooperation between Namibia and Russia, and urged the Russian business community to explore opportunities in these sectors.
“These priority areas are agriculture, sport, youth empowerment, education and training, the creative industries, quality healthcare, land, housing and sanitation. These priority areas are very important for uplifting the living standards of our people. I therefore continue to invite the Russian business community to explore business opportunities in these priority areas,” the minister said.
In his closing remarks, Trutnev acknowledged the broad potential for cooperation between the two countries. He noted that strengthening collaboration is particularly important in addressing the imbalance in bilateral trade. He suggested that focusing on a strategic sector such as energy to start with could deliver immediate and impactful results for Namibia’s development.
“If we put all our efforts into a certain field, then our results will be more evident. Of course, we have to develop mining, agriculture and education – definitely. But if today we say, first of all, let us remove the energy deficit in Namibia and solve this problem, and really do that, then we will bring many positive results for the development of the country,” Trutnev added.
