WALVIS BAY, 26 MAR (NAMPA) - Former United States of America (USA) Ambassador to Namibia, Andrew Young said that Southern Africa has so much potential and needs to be developed economically for the future of this world.
Young made these remarks during a courtesy visit to the Erongo Region on Monday.
"Africa is an economic region, which, as the population expands in Europe and Asia, is going to be the primary market of the next century. At least half the world's population will be on this continent (to invest) but nobody is making plans to service them," Young stated.
"We are looking for a floating port that would be 48,3 kilometres offshore in the savannah and no matter how impossible this may sound, we think we could create a model for ports that need expansions without heavy investments," he said, adding that this model could be perfect for Africa and as soon as it is tested and is successful, it will then be expanded to the continent.
Namibia Ports Authority (Namport), Chief Executive Officer Bisey /Uirab at the same occasion also noted how two of its main ports are not only serving Namibia, but also many other African countries.
The country has also allocated dry ports to some of its neighbouring countries which focus on inland trading and are aimed to make it easier for these countries to import and export important commodities from and to the rest of the world, he said.
"We are very privileged to work with these African countries to ensure that we create intra-African trade and that we can also connect them to the rest of the world," /Uirab added.
According to /Uirab, Namport is also looking forward to signing a Memorandum of Understanding with the USA's South Jersey Port, which will be aimed at encouraging trade among the southern parts of the USA and Africa.
The CEO noted that Namibia has a lot to offer to the USA and other parts of the world and has enough potential for other countries' investors as the Walvis Bay Port links about 300 million people.
Young, who was accompanied by a 30-member delegation, formed a prominent part of the resolution 435 and the liberation struggle of Namibia.
The delegation is expected to visit a salt factory just outside Walvis Bay on Tuesday before continuing their visit to Windhoek and departing the country on Thursday.

SOURCE: NAMPA - IB/HP/EK

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