Work starts on Okahandja pharma plant

The government's plan to establish its own pharmaceutical plant at Okahandja is finally out of the starting blocks.It would appear as if the government's previous plan to build a central medical store and public health laboratory, for which N$54 million was budgeted in the 2013/14 financial year, has fallen by the wayside.Deputy trade minister Pieter van der Walt this week told Namibian Sun that the plan had been finalised and operations at the site had begun.Van der Walt could not say which engineering company was appointed for this project. “The cost estimate is not yet finalised, but it will be a government-funded project targeting both the local and SADC region,” he said. According to Van der Walt, the project will fall under his ministry with the assistance of the health ministry and the Offshore Development Company (ODC). The ODC also falls under the trade ministry. Besides serving investors to Namibia, it also develops and leases industrial and business sites to entrepreneurs.This project will be executed in close cooperation with the Cuban government, and an agreement in this regard is expected to be signed soon.Okahandja mayor Congo Hindjou confirmed that 14 hectares of land was donated to the ministry.“They have started levelling the ground already and some of our young people are already employed there. I am very excited about this new venture, not only because of its magnitude but because it will elevate living standards in the town.”Cuban ambassador to Namibia, Giraldo Mazola confirmed to Namibian Sun that his government had pledged to provide technical support to get the venture off the ground.“Perhaps some Cuban engineers will come and assist too. You know, factories and hospitals cannot be built at the same standard as regular buildings, they need specific qualities. But our discussions are going well,” he said. “Cuba has created many centres of research and training and its research is very close to production, which is why 80% of the medicines used by Cubans are produced in Cuba. With the export of vaccines and medicines Cuba makes about US$300 million every year.”JEMIMA BEUKES

Work starts on Okahandja pharma plant

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Namibian Sun 2025-09-17

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Work starts on Okahandja pharma plant

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Namibian Sun 2025-09-17

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