Namibia wants Lanka’s apparel expertise
Namibia, the world's fifth-largest producer of uranium, is keen to
leverage Sri Lanka’s apparel and rice cultivation successes. “We are now
starting to develop our apparel sector and the rice farming sector. We
are eager for tech and know-how support from Sri Lanka given the
country’s successes in them” said Samuel K. Mbambo, new High
Commissioner of the Republic of Namibia to Colombo.
Mbambo revealed this to Rishad Bathiudeen, Minister of Industry and
Commerce of Sri Lanka when he made a courtesy call on Minister
Bathiudeen in Colombo last week.
Minister of Industry and Commerce Rishad Bathiudeen
(right) discusses bilateral trade with Samuel K. Mbambo,
new High Commissioner of the Republic of Namibia to
Colombo |
According to the Department of Commerce, the value of total trade
between the two countries at US $ 0.07 million in 2006 , and increased
to US $ 0.08 million. in 2010.
The balance of trade has been in favour of Sri Lanka except in 2006
and 2010. The $ 12 billion economy is projected to grow 4.4% in 2011.
Tea and live fish are Sri Lanka’s main export items to Namibia.
“We invite Namibian businesses and industries to invest in the new
economic resurgence in Sri Lanka. Thanks to our President Mahinda
Rajapaksa’s leadership, we are now past a three decades of war and have
entered the new economic upswing. Our growth forecast for 2012 is 7.2%,
a very high rate in the current recession climate. The low trade between
both Sri Lanka and Namibia show that there’s enormous untapped bilateral
trade potential between us and I believe that time has come to renew our
trade ties” Minister Bathiudeen said.
“We can assist Namibia to gain the essential skills in apparels and
paddy cultivation” said Minister Bathiudeen. “Our paddy cultivation has
a historic background with Sri Lanka’s staple food being rice and our
ancient farmers were producing special rice variants for use by our
former Kings. Our paddy is harvested in two different cycles every year
we are self-sufficient in rice with a self-sufficiency rate of 112%.
"The 2011 paddy production is estimated at 90 million bushels. We can
help Namibia with regard to pre and post harvesting technologies and
also irrigation methods focused on water conservation” Minister
Bathiudeen said.
“As for apparels, I am pleased to say that we are the world’s first
ethical apparel sourcing destination. In 2011 December alone, our
apparel exports in all forms stood at $ 369.4 million with an annual
total export value for the same year at $ 4039 million. Our apparels now
supply to top international labels such as top labels as Marks &
Spencer, Victoria's Secret, House of Frazer, Diesel, H&M and SUZI Chin.
We believe that Namibia can also leverage our apparel know-how and we
are ready to assist in this regard too” Minister Bathiudeen said and
added: “We are also keen to tap Namibia’s mining know-how. I am pleased
to observe that Namibia encouraging its rare metal exports in raw form.”
“Namibian economy is structured mainly on mining which is about 25%
of our revenues.
"The industries and farming sector, which are the next important
sectors, needs to be upgraded and expanded. We are looking for
international expertise apparels and rice farming to diversify these
sectors. We believe Sri Lanka can help us in this” Mbambo said. “And we
also like Sri Lanka’s economic and political stability which encourages
us to forge new trade relations” he added. |