Chinese companies create 6,000 jobs in Namibia: ambassador

Chinese companies operating in Namibia have created more than 6,000 jobs for locals, Chinese ambassador to Namibia Xin Shunkang has said.

Xin said in an interview with Xinhua, that trade between the two countries has been mutually beneficial with Chinese investment contributing to the development of Namibia's industry while Namibia has helped China expand its overseas market.

According to the ambassador, there are about 46 Chinese companies operating in Namibia in the formal economy led by Swakop Uranium which is investing 2.5 billion U.S. dollars in the world-class Husab mine.

Swakop Uranium is majority owned by the Chinese state-owned China Guangdong Nuclear Power Holding Corp.

Besides mining, Chinese companies also invest in other industries such as manufacturing, agriculture and construction.

Xin said Namibia has become one of the most important trade partners of China among the African countries.

The trade volume between the two countries reached 863 million dollars in 2014 with Namibia exporting 318 million dollars worth of goods to China and importing 545 million dollars worth of products from the Asian economic giant.

From January to May 2015, the trade volume between the two countries stood at 286 million dollars, an increase of 0.56 percent compared to the same period last year.

Namibia mainly exports ores, nonferrous metal, aquatic products, fur skins and leather products to China while importing textile products, furniture, machinery and electronic items.

Trade between the two countries is set to increase after the signing of an agreement earlier this month that allows Namibian beef to enter the Chinese market.

Namibia is a world class producer of prime free range beef. Endit