Staff Writer
Namibia and Russia have agreed to push businesses from both countries to pursue joint ventures and investment partnerships.
The two counties held the 11th session of the Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation held in Windhoek.
The meeting, which concluded yesterday, brought together officials and business representatives to review progress in bilateral relations and identify new areas of cooperation.
The session was chaired by minister of international relations and trade Selma Ashipala-Musavyi and co-chaired by Russian deputy prime minister Yury Trutnev.
According to a joint communiqué, officials discussed expanding cooperation in sectors such as energy, mining and mineral processing, agriculture and food security, transport and logistics, education, science and technology, health and pharmaceuticals, tourism, youth development, sports, arts and culture, and legal and security cooperation.
“The commission welcomed ongoing efforts to increase bilateral trade and encouraged the private sectors of both countries to pursue joint ventures, technology transfer and value-addition projects,” the communiqué stated.
Officials also discussed creating a favourable environment for investment and advancing negotiations on agreements that remain under discussion.
Namibia and Russia also agreed to expand cooperation in academic exchanges, cultural relations and people-to-people programmes.
The two parties also agreed to increase consultations between ministries, government agencies and business communities to implement decisions taken during the meeting.
New areas of cooperation under discussion include information and communication technology, mass media, space cooperation and public health matters related to sanitary and epidemiological well-being.
During the visit, Trutnev also paid a courtesy call on President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah.
The meeting provided an opportunity for both sides to discuss economic cooperation and issues of mutual interest.
Opening the ministerial session on Monday, Ashipala-Musavyi said the current global situation highlights the importance of cooperation between countries.
“The world is characterised by uncertainty more than ever before. International peace and security are under immense threat,” she said.
She said the commission meeting allowed both sides to review progress and identify new opportunities for cooperation.
Ashipala-Musavyi thanked businesses from both countries for participating in the forum.
She said the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board and the ministry’s trade department will support further engagement between businesses.
She encouraged Russian businesses to explore investment opportunities in these sectors.
Ashipala-Musavyi also referred to discussions on establishing a fertiliser manufacturing plant in Namibia.
“The fertiliser plant will reduce costs and boost agricultural production,” she said.
She said the project could reduce Namibia’s reliance on imported food and support exports to other African markets.
She said progress has also been made on cooperation agreements between the two countries.
One agreement ready for signing is the draft agreement on cooperation and mutual administrative assistance in customs matters.
Namibia and Russia have also continued implementing their cooperation agreement on geology and subsoil management, with discussions focusing on strengthening mining sector cooperation.
Ashipala-Musavyi urged stakeholders to speed up the finalisation of outstanding cooperation agreements so they can be signed.
The commission agreed that the next session of the Namibia–Russia Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation will take place in Russia in 2027.
