WINDHOEK, May 22 (Xinhua) -- Namibian officials and business representatives said on Friday that a business forum with a delegation from China's Shandong Province had opened new avenues for deepening trade, investment, and energy cooperation between Namibia and China.
The half-day Namibia-Shandong Business Forum, held in Windhoek, brought together government officials and private-sector representatives for policy dialogue, business-to-business engagements, and investment matchmaking.
The forum was hosted by Namibia's Ministry of International Relations and Trade, with support from the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board. It focused on sectors including energy, mining and mineral beneficiation, health and pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and agro-processing.
Namibia's Minister of International Relations and Trade Selma Ashipala-Musavyi said in a statement delivered on her behalf that "Namibia is open for business and ready to deepen economic cooperation with reliable and forward-looking partners such as Shandong Province."
The Chinese delegation comprised senior officials and private-sector executives from major industrial sectors. Members of the delegation presented their businesses and potential areas of cooperation to more than 100 participants at the forum.
On the sidelines of the forum, O'Brien Hekandjo, strategic executive for electricity at the City of Windhoek, told Xinhua that the platform offered practical opportunities for cooperation, especially in the energy sector.
"I think there are quite many synergies between Namibia and China. One of the areas I was particularly interested in was energy and renewable energy, particularly battery storage as well," he said.
Hekandjo said Namibia remains heavily dependent on imported electricity and fuel due to limited conventional power-generation capacity, making renewable energy and storage solutions increasingly important for the country.
He said China's experience in battery storage technology could help Namibia stabilize its electricity grid and make better use of its renewable energy potential.
"The Chinese are actually the world leaders when it comes to battery storage. I do believe this technology can play a huge role here in Namibia," he said. ■
