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Honourable Director of Ceremonies
Distinguished Dignitaries
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen

　　On behalf of the Republic of Namibia, and in particular the Namibia Investment Centre, a Department within the Ministry of Trade and Industry, I am delighted to be here today, being the 5th year of our participation in CIFIT. It gives me particular pleasure to be addressing this business gathering in Xiamen, as we are all here, either as agents in the promotion of FDI, or potential investors looking for ideal locations to invest in.

　　With particular reference to China, I would like to indicate that trade relations between our two countries have been firmly established by the agreement establishing the Joint Commission on Economic and Trade Cooperation signed in 2004, in Beijing. I would also like to believe that, given the magnitude of this event, there is no doubt in my mind that there are other countries present her today, with whom Namibia has signed some form of investment promotion and protection agreements.

　　Allow me therefore, to thank the organisers of this 12th CIFIT for extending an invitation to the Namibian Government. It is my pleasure to convey our sincere gratitude for the great hospitality accorded to my delegation by the Government of the People’s Republic of China and WAIPA.

Director of Ceremonies;
Ladies and Gentlemen;
　　Allow me to share with you some of the excellent opportunities for trade and investment that Namibia has to offer for the advancement of South-South Cooperation.

　　For your own orientation, I need to tell you that Namibia is located in the south western part of Africa, bordering Angola, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, and South Africa. It is a large country compared to its population with an area of more than 824 thousand square kilometres and a population of close to 2 million people (2006 est.).

　　The Namibian system of government is a multi-party democracy with checks and balances exercised through the State organs of the executive, legislative and the judiciary. General, presidential, regional and local elections are held every five years.

　　The Namibian government recognises the valuable contribution which foreign investment can make towards an increasingly successful future and the transformation of the content and character of our economy through industrialisation. Such investment will further stimulate economic growth, create employment, introduce new technologies, develop new export markets and create market opportunities for our growing SME sector.

　　This recognition is exemplified by our adoption of a regulatory and fiscal regime which is highly conducive to investment. Our export processing zones, for example, offer incentives unmatched by most competitor nations. Yet we realise that these inducements alone will not attract investment.

Honourable Director of Ceremonies;
Ladies and gentlemen;

　　Namibia has extensive mineral deposits. Its diamonds and uranium are world-class so are its gold, copper, lead, zinc and other base metals, a wide variety of semi-precious stones and many types of dimension stone are also found in abundance.
Value-addition is encouraged in the refining of base metals and other minerals, like manganese, processing of marble and granite, and cutting and polishing of precious and semi-precious stones. Good prospects for development of the jewellery industry exist and are encouraged.
　　Geophysical studies indicate good prospects for oil and gas exploration.

Honourable Director of Ceremonies;
Ladies and Gentlemen;

　　Namibia’s marine resources are among the richest in the world and our fishing grounds remain unpolluted.
　　The nutrient rich Benguela current produces numerous　commercially important species of fish and shellfish.
Many opportunities exist in value addition activities and mariculture and freshwater (aquaculture) fisheries. Here we need the Chinese know-how and markets.

　　Investment opportunities also exist in value-added local processing of livestock, ostrich farming, crop production and food processing.
　　Good prospects also exist for extensive horticulture, such as, olive oil, jojoba and cut flowers. Government also proposes cotton production and the establishment of a cotton ginnery as investment opportunities. This in turn will supply Namibia’s emerging textile industry with the necessary raw materials.

　　Spectacular scenery and wildlife makes Namibia a tourist haven. Leading to the lodges and resorts are excellent road and accommodation infrastructure. A warm climate and friendly atmosphere of Namibians provide great ingredients for a burgeoning tourism industry.

　　There is an exceptional scope for manufacturing investment and value addition to our local natural resources for domestic, regional and international export markets. The following areas are promoted for the manufacturing sector:

? Cement production
? Pharmaceuticals
? Textiles and garments
? Finished leather goods
? Glassware and ceramics
? Steel manufacturing
? Electronic assembly
? Automotive components

Honourable Director of Ceremonies;
Ladies and Gentlemen;

　　As mentioned before, Namibia has a highly competitive incentive and fiscal regime.

　　Our export processing zone incentives provide a zero tax haven, exempting enterprises engaged in manufacturing, assembly, packaging or break-bulk exporting mainly to outside of Southern African Customs Union (SACU) markets from corporate tax, Value Added Tax (VAT), stamp and transfer duties. Special incentive packages are also available for exporters and registered manufacturers targeting the SACU market.

Director of Ceremonies;
Ladies and Gentlemen;

　　Namibia is also a beneficiary country under the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act which provides for duty and quota-free access to the US market for over 7,000 products. Under this provision Namibia has been granted LDC status with less stringent rules of origin requirements.

　　Namibia is also member to the Cotonou Agreement which allows for duty-free access to the European Union for a wide range of manufactured goods and agricultural products.

　　As a member of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Namibia has preferential trade links to more than 190 million inhabitants of the sub-region.

　　The Southern Africa Customs Union is the oldest such trade arrangement in the world. Membership affords duty and quota-free access to markets in Botswana, Lesotho, South Africa and Swaziland.

　　I am also pleased to inform you that on the 17th August the 14 member states of SAD signed an agreement for the creation of a SADC Free Trade Area, thus facilitating wider trade and creating a larger market within the SADC community and allowing for free movement of goods.

　　I am also pleased to inform you, that we have signed a Reciprocal Investment Protection and Promotion Agreement with China in 2005 and it is my sincere hope that this agreement would lead to strengthened cooperation between our two nations in the areas of trade and investment.

　　Many regard Namibia as a very attractive investment location and a place to live because of the following:

? Peace, stability and good governance
? Excellent road, rail and air infrastructure
? Excellent telecommunications network
? Wide inter-continental market access
? Liberal investment regime
? Stable labour environment
? Generous investment regimes
? Fast, efficient and transparent bureaucracy
? Low inflation
? Stable foreign exchange reserves
? Strategically located, low cost and efficient port
? Young and trainable labour force
? Good housing and recreational facilities

　　Those local investors and entrepreneurs, as well as other international investors who are gathered here today, who are considering Namibia as their investment destination, will make their judgments on the basis of innumerable criteria, depending on the nature of the investment in question. They need to be confident that their businesses will succeed in Namibia and that they will prosper and grow. These, too, are the types of enterprises that we welcome 쭯 companies, which will thrive and will thus make a positive contribution to the economic future of our nation.

Ladies and Gentlemen;
Honourable Director of Ceremonies;

　　In conclusion, while Namibia offers these and many other opportunities, investors are welcome to approach our delegation for any other ideas they may have. I invite you to visit our booth where you will be provided with further information on Namibia, not only as a tourist destination but also as the preferred investment destination. Once again thank you for your kind invitation.