Chinese business presence no deterrent

Commentators are of the opinion that the presence of Chinese investors will do nothing to deter Western-aligned investors from making any investments in Namibia. This comes in light of the United States' trade war with China. Academic Henning Melber said any US-led investment in Namibia would be considered if it was found that there was enough reason to invest.“Private investments by foreign companies and individuals are decided from a business perspective. If they promise returns, deals will be made. As long as the US administration does not operate with sanctions, a Chinese presence is an unlikely obstacle,” Melber said.According to Melber, it is a legitimate interest of a country to attract a diversity of foreign investors, provided they offer something in return for the local economy and citizens.“The American trade war with China and others is guided by interests at home, not abroad,” he added. Economics academic Professor Roman Grynberg echoed Melber's sentiments on investment. US investors will not be perturbed by Chinese investment in Namibia. What matters to US investors is whether what they wish to do is profitable and whether their investments are safe in Namibia,” Grynberg said.President Hage Geingob had last year during a meeting with the Jilin provincial committee of the Communist Party of China at State House questioned why Namibia could not do business with China. “We are being warned as if we are small children; that is sickening [...] we are being warned but we are mature people. We enter into agreements that will be beneficial to our people and China,” he said. “I keep telling them that China is everywhere, why do they come lecture us about China? China is in the United States, UK, France and everywhere. Why are we being warned like children?” he added. Bayin Chaolu, secretary of the Jilin provincial committee of the Communist Party had last year during a visit to Geingob said they wanted to identify or explore new areas of bilateral cooperation, such as in the areas of the automobile, agriculture, petroleum and chemical sectors. OGONE TLHAGE

Chinese business presence no deterrent

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Namibian Sun 2025-09-18

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Chinese business presence no deterrent

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Namibian Sun 2025-09-18

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