Press Room

I am delighted to add my own welcome to Your Excellency and your distinguished and high-level business delegation. Indian business is privileged to interact with you on the occasion of your visit to our country.
We have enjoyed a close friendship with Namibia. I believe the first ever SWAPO embassy was set up in New Delhi in 1986. India also established diplomatic relations with Namibia as soon as the country attained independence. We have had bilateral visits at the highest levels from both sides. These have helped strengthen the warm and friendly relations of the two countries. We need to leverage this foundation now for larger economic ties.
Indian industry has significantly expanded its presence in the African continent over the last few years, led by the interest and desire of the Indian government to build a strong and deep friendship. This relationship is based on sustainable partnership for mutual benefit that will raise development for both sides.
We have worked with communities and with governments in order to be a part of the industrial landscape of Africa, rather than merely exploit the rich resources of the region or reap quick profits.
The foundation of our engagement with Africa is to position Indian industry as a trustworthy alternative to other nations that view the vast continent as a market for their goods. Thus, India has been emphasizing the long-term relationship through projects.
Given the excellent natural resources of Namibia and the large economy of India, it is indeed surprising that the two countries have not had closer economic linkages. Namibia is a leading source of gem-quality diamonds and a significant producer of non fuel minerals of the world. India enjoys a widely diversified industrial and agricultural base producing many goods that Namibia imports.
While aggregate trade between our two nations is low, it is heartening to note that its growth has been very rapid. India is already in negotiation with SACU for a Preferential trade agreement and we hope this will catalyse trade with Namibia to a new trajectory.
The top items of Indian exports to Namibia are Drugs & Pharmaceuticals, Transport equipments, Manufactures of Metals, Ferrous and Non-ferrous metals, and miscellaneous processed items. Our imports from Namibia consist of Non-ferrous metals, metal ores, Transport equipments, etc.
There are many opportunities of collaboration that can expand trade. While mining and diamonds are the most obvious sectors, we see significant potential in services such as travel and tourism, biotechnology, IT, healthcare and education. Indian industry is keen to invest in these sectors in Namibia.
The deserts and grasslands of the country offer a rich and diverse experience for tourists. Indian tourists would be happy to enjoy its unique experiences. We would be glad to help in a tourism promotion campaign in India to attract tourists, as well as invest in resorts and tourism infrastructure.
In biotechnology, there would be potential from the biodiversity of Namibia for biopharmaceuticals and agricultural biotechnology. The industry in India is rapidly growing and is keen to establish cooperative ventures with other countries.
Education and skill development could be a way to help the population reduce its dependency on agriculture. Namibian talent for languages could be leveraged to provide unique off-shored services. Indian industry could also help in capacity-building programs. CII has carried out such programs with small and medium enterprises in South Africa and has good experience with skill development programs.
The Indian government has linked the African nations through a pan-African portal that connects hospitals and universities in Africa to those in India. We hope that this service can be expanded later to allow industry to piggyback on the available sites for sharing information on upcoming opportunities for trade and investment.
Your Excellency, to conclude, let me reiterate once again the aspiration of Indian industry to engage significantly with Namibia. This would help both our countries. I assure you that with your support and encouragement, Indian industry will be able to leverage the strong foundation of friendship between our two countries for the benefit of our people.
Thank you once again for interacting with us.