MIT to develop donated land in DRC, Congo

The Ministry of Industrialisation and Trade (MIT) and relevant agencies are mandated to explore and put in place mechanisms to promote and facilitate the export of Namibian meat and meat products to Angola and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). In pursuit of this mandate, Namibia through the Ministry of Industrialisation and Trade acquired land in Pointe-Noire by the Government of the Republic of Congo and in Lubumbashi by the Democratic Republic of Congo for the purpose of constructing Namibia trade and industrial estates. The estates will be used as hubs for the promotion and trading of Namibian goods and services in these markets and further West and Central Africa, such as meat and meat products, fish and fish products, beer and beverages, dairy products, cereals and other agro and industrial products.

Both Governments of the Republic of Congo (Congo) and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) availed land to the Namibian Government for the purposes of constructing cold and dry facilities for the promotion and trading of Namibian products and services. This also is aimed at intensifying the bilateral co-operation between Namibia and the Congos in the area of trade and investment, as well as enhancing and strengthening the south-south cooperation.

• Site in Pointe-Noire, Republic of Congo

The Republic of Congo officially donated over three hectares of land in Pointe-Noire to the Namibian Government and the land allocated is for an open-ended period in return for no financial compensation due to the historical relationship that exists between the two countries and in accordance with the reciprocity clause between Namibia and Congo. The land is located on the Portland at the outskirt of town along the ocean and is opposite the CORAF (Congo’s Oil Refinery Plant) compound. The land is accessible by road, though there is a need for a proper road infrastructure and development. The site is easily accessible to service utilities such as electricity and water.

• Site in Lubumbashi, DRC

Similarly, the Democratic Republic of Congo donated over thirty three hectares land and ownership title deeds to the Government Republic of Namibia. The land is situated in Shinga Village in the Kipushi District, Katanga Province, 26 Km from Lubumbashi and 90 Km from the borders between the DRC and the Republic of Zambia, along the Kasumbalesa Road.

Economic and Social Implications

The construction of the cold and dry facilities in the two Congos aims to provide the following:

•Provide a safe and enabling environment for Namibian business people and service providers alike in creating a type of “One Stop Shop” between Namibia and its counterparts in the rest of Africa;

• Market diversification and enhancing trade between Namibia and the rest of Africa;

• Stimulate employment of people and growing the economy and thus enhance revenue earnings of for the government.

• Assist communal farmers, especially North of the Red Line to have market access of their meat.

Challenges

Doing business in the Congos could be profitable, however, there are challenges that have to be addressed, such as language barriers, bureaucracy and huge financial costs. French is an official language spoken in the two Congos and that makes it difficult for the English speaking countries to communicate without an interpreter. Language barriers as well as differentiations in culture in this case may hinder business. It is also quite expensive to get services done in the Congos, due to the payment of services in US dollars. The Ministry is yet to spend in both Congos on the following - clearing of the sites, construction of the estate in different phrases, connection of the utilities such as electricity and water to the sites, salaries of the employees and general maintenance of the sites.