China urged to relax trade conditions

By Desie Heita

Namibia has asked China to expeditiously carry out the necessary bureaucratic process required to implement the agreement on Cooperation in the Animal Health and Quarantine signed by the two governments on December 16 in China.

In addition, Namibia also asked for leniency on conditions that come with Chinese preferential concession loans as well as interest- free loans to Namibia.

The two items formed part of discussions during the official talks between the Vice-Premier of the State Council of China Hui Liangyu and Namibian Deputy Prime Minister Marco Hausiku in Windhoek this week.

The cooperation agreement on animal health ultimately allows Namibia to export fish, beef and other agricultural products to China. However, for it to take effect, China has to carry out an inspection on whether or not the Namibia processing and quarantine methods conform to Chinese health regulations.

Chinese health inspectors were scheduled to arrive in Namibia during the last course of March, but according to Hausiku, China only sent inspectors for fish processing.

"We would like to have [the] complete agreement in action and not only one element of the agreement," said Hausiku, urging Hui to urge the Chinese government to send the remaining animal health experts to carry out the mandatory inspections.

"China is a very big market and we do not want to lose out on that. We would be very happy to have that agreement implemented," said Hausiku. Hui visited Namibia and would proceed to Zimbabwe later today [April 04]. The visit is at the invitation of Hausiku and Zimbabwean Vice- President Mujuru. He described the purpose of the visit as "deepening and making the current cooperation between the countries work."

Hausiku said while Namibia is "grateful for the preferential, concession and interest-free loans facilities" extended by China to Namibia, "we would appreciate if some of the conditions could be relaxed for easier access of funds."

Hausiku also asked China to support Namibia's new focused approach on promoting certain priority sectors - an approach aimed at stimulating economic growth and creates employment.

"Our view is that we should work together to promote and strengthen our mutual interest," said Hausiku, who also asked China to encourage tourism activities to Namibia as the destination. "China declared Namibia a tourism destination in 2005, but it seems it is not working. We want to see more Chinese tourists coming to Namibia. It is our belief that tourism is a strong and growing industry and joint venture businesses should be encouraged," said Hausiku.

Namibia and China signed fiveNike news