Niël Terblanché
The Swakopmund International Trade Expo (SWAITEX) 2024 welcomed a rare and momentous occasion as the President and Vice President of Botswana joined President Nangolo Mbumba at the event’s official opening.
President Nangolo Mbumba, while welcoming President Mokgweetsi Masisi, hailed the Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI) event as a substantial milestone for Swakopmund.
He said the visit by Botswana’s head of state and his delegation clearly demonstrates growing bilateral relations between the two countries.
“It is a rare occasion to have both a president and a vice president from another country visit together,” Mbumba said.
He added that the visit by Botswana’s Head of State is a celebration of kinship, beneficial neighbourliness, and mutual respect between the countries.
President Mbumba pointed to the ongoing and excellent cooperation between the two nations while also stressing the critical role of events like SWAITEX in promoting trade and investment prospects.
President Mbumba expressed his appreciation to all businesses exhibiting their products at the expo, recognising their vital contributions to private sector-led growth and diversification.
“Your dedication to enhancing your products and services showcases proactive economic participation that can propel our nations to greater prosperity,” he said.
In his address, President Masisi lauded Namibia for its remarkable social and economic accomplishments since attaining independence in 1990, including impressive economic growth rates and infrastructure advancements.
He commended the organisers of SWAITEX for their dedication, noting that such events are essential in enhancing intra-African trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
“Intra-African trade is currently at only 15 percent, which indicates substantial room for improvement. As leaders, we have pledged to facilitate the seamless movement of people, goods, and capital to intensify trade within the African continent,” President Masisi said.
He added that SWAITEX 2024 also serves as a platform to honour the legacy of President Hage Geingob and their deep friendship, which significantly strengthened Namibia-Botswana relations.
Their collaborative efforts led to the introduction of using National Identity Cards as travel documents between Namibia and Botswana, fostering greater people-to-people exchanges.
President Masisi highlighted the significant potential for enhanced cooperation between Botswana and Namibia in various sectors, including animal disease control, wildlife conservation, and tourism.
He said the collaborative efforts to improve infrastructure, such as the Trans-Kalahari Railway Line and the One-Stop-Border-Post in Mamuno, reflect the commitment to ensuring seamless movement of goods, services, and people between the two nations.
The trade relationship between Namibia and Botswana primarily revolves around diamond mining, but there are growing opportunities for diversification.
In 2023, Botswana imported goods worth US$473 million from Namibia, with diamonds comprising 93 percent of this total.
Similarly, Namibia has been purchasing livestock vaccines from the Botswana Vaccine Institute to combat transboundary animal diseases.
In the energy sector, discussions between Botswana Oil Company and the Namibian National Petroleum Corporation aim to establish shared fuel storage facilities in Walvis Bay, demonstrating a promising avenue for partnership.
The trade expo, which has been held for over seven consecutive years, excluding a two-year pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic, showcases the vital role of private sector organisations in spearheading socio-economic policies and creating wealth.
This year’s event includes business seminars with panel discussions and presentations on pertinent topics relevant to the business sector and general economic activities.
It is expected that the information exchanged during the event will bridge disparities and empower participating companies to achieve unprecedented levels of business expansion.
SWAITEX encouraged enterprises from all over Africa to establish new partnerships and collaborations that will strengthen the economic foundation of their respective nations.
