Germany commits 103.5 m Euros to Namibian projects

WINDHOEK, Sept. 22 – The Government of Federal Republic of Germany committed 103.5 million Euros for bilateral Technical and Financial Cooperation following negotiations held last week on cooperation between the two governments.

The latest funding catapults the the total funding available for Technical and Financial Cooperation projects and programmes in 2016 and 2017 to 133.5 million Euros equating to N$2 billion using the current exchange rates.

“Cooperation between the two governments focusses on three focal areas which are Management of Natural Resources, Sustainable Economic Development and Transport logistics. This did not however disregard areas that are mutually agreed which fall outside our co-operation,” said Deputy Minister of Economic Planning Lucia Iipumbu.

She was pleased to note that German support to Namibia is aligned to the Fifth National Development Plan (NDP5); the vehicle through which Namibia will implement and report on other development tools Namibia subscribes to the global agenda of 2030 Sustainable Development Goals and African Union Agenda 2063, SADC Regional Integrated Strategic Development Plan and the Harambee Prosperity Plan.

The Prime focus of the two countries’ cooperation lies in supporting the Namibian government in its efforts to reduce poverty and unemployment to improve the population’s overall lining conditions, to strengthen the country’s infrastructure, as well as to foster economic development.

Some of the of the focal areas of sustainable development are NamPost Microfinance Credit Line; Promotion of Vocational Education and Training; Promotion of Business Advisory and Transformational Services and support to Management of State Owned Enterprises.

Cooperation outside focal areas include securing Windhoek water supply, direct Potable Reclamation Plant Gammas; GET-FIT Namibia programme; SDG initiative Namibia and Studies and Experts Fund. – Jonsey Douglas