Corridor group promotes Walvis Bay in Zimbabwe – Business

Namibia is collaborating with regional partners to promote the port of Walvis Bay as a gateway to global trade.

This follows a visit by a delegation from the Walvis Bay Corridor Group (WBCG) and the Namibia Ports Authority (Namport) to Zimbabwe from April 22 to 26 to explore business opportunities in Zimbabwe, particularly around lithium shipping.

“Zimbabwe and Namibia are great partners and Zimbabwe has a dry port in Walvis Bay. We went there to raise awareness about Zimbabwe’s shortest route to America, Europe and Brazil,” WBCG chief executive Hippy Tjivikua said yesterday.

He said the group went to Zimbabwe to consider logistics related to transporting minerals such as lithium, copper and cobalt.

“We are also looking to help Zimbabwe shift imports of grains, fertilizers and mining chemicals. This is also part of promoting interregional trade,” Tjivikua said.

He said the group plans to transport the goods through the Trans-Kalahari Corridor through Botswana, or the Lubumbashi-Walvis Bay Corridor through Katima Mulilo to Walvis Bay.

According to a statement issued on Tuesday by WBCG spokesperson Maria Paulus, the visit was organized in conjunction with Zimbabwe’s BAK Logistics, with the support of Zimbabwe’s ambassador to Namibia, Melody Chaurura.

The delegation, which was welcomed by Namibia’s ambassador to Zimbabwe, Nicklaas Kandjii, held a series of business-to-business meetings with current and potential clients, including metals and mineral buyers, mining companies, fertilizer companies, food companies and drinks. manufacturers and companies of agricultural packaging solutions.

The delegation held meetings in Harare and conducted an exploration mission to Gweru, Zvishavane and the Sandawana mine (in Mberengwa district), which has large lithium deposits.

Paulus says the objective of the mission was to foster strategic partnerships, explore import/export opportunities and reaffirm the commitment to offering comprehensive end-to-end supply chain solutions.

She says that during the visit to the Sandawana mine, the delegation had the opportunity to tour a large lithium mine, where they were able to observe the lithium production process and appreciate various grades of lithium.

“This experience was crucial to understanding the transportation and logistics dynamics involved in connecting these mines to the port of Walvis Bay and our corridors,” says Tjivikua.

He says the team raised awareness of the corridors and the strategic importance of the port of Walvis Bay.

Discussions focused on improving trade facilitation services and promoting the efficiency of Namibia’s use for lithium exports.

Kandjii emphasized Namibia’s strong interest in fostering bilateral trade exchanges and trade partnerships, particularly highlighting the mining sector as a promising avenue for collaboration.

He also affirmed his readiness to foster investor advocacy between Namibia and Zimbabwe through concerted efforts, encouraging the capitalization of mutual economic opportunities and establishing an enabling environment for cross-border investment ventures.

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