Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry Tjekero Tweya said at a promotion conference of the 112th session of the China Import and Export Fair (2012 Canton Fair) that, although there has been a slight decrease in the overall import and export of commodities in which Namibia and China trade, the two nations still enjoy strong relations.

A delegation from China led by Vice Minister of Commerce Zhong Shan are in the country with the aim of promoting the annual China Import and Export Fair which is set to take place in that country later this year. Tweya said Namibia’s major exports to China last year included uranium, unrefined copper and zinc, recording exports amounting to N$270,8 million; N$255,4 million and N$84,9 million respectively.

On the other hand, he said, major imports from China to Namibia in the same year included helicopters and cellphones amounting to N$314,1 million and N$35,1 million.

He then urged local business community to engage their Chinese counterparts in networking and discussing joint ventures in manufacturing to add value to the raw materials that Namibia exports.

Tweya also urged Chinese businesses to create a manufacturing base for any industry they choose to venture into so that Namibia can realise its goal of industrialising its economy.

He also encouraged Namibian companies to venture into the Chinese market with their products.