WBCG SIGNS AGREEMENT WITH FINNISH EMBASSY
Last week on 23 November 2011 the Walvis Bay Corridor Group (WBCG) and the Embassy of Finland signed a funding agreement, for the funding of Enhancing the Trade and Transport Facilitation Capacity of Namibian Logistics Services Providers and Follow up Mission to Finland. The agreement was signed in Windhoek at the Finnish Residence by The Charge d’ Affaires a.i. Embassy of Finland Her Excellency Ms. Anne Saloranta and Mr. Nghidinua Daniel on behalf Johny Smith (WBCG CEO) in his capacity as board member of WBCG. Mr. Daniel is also Deputy PS of Ministry of Trade and Industry and currently acting as Acting MD of Namibia Wildlife Resorts (NWR).
The overall objective of the funding is to improve the baseline for operating conditions on specific transport corridors in Southern Africa, and thereby contribute to stimulating economic growth and poverty reduction. This project will also focus on training and development, trade and transport facilitation, and follow – up mission to Finland including participation in the Logistics Transport Exhibition. The funding also includes an element of supporting the growth and development of SME’s in the transport sector, as well as allowing women into the mainstream o f the transport sector. The grant agreement stems from a strong relationship with the Finnish Embassy on possible collaboration and synergies on how best to support the development of the Walvis Bay Corridors and the Port of Walvis Bay in its quest of becoming the transport hub of choice for the SADC region and the rest of the World. Against this backdrop the WBCG will press on to facilitate appropriate infrastructure development to ensure that growing demands will not outstrip existing transport infrastructure and facilities.
The WBCG is continuously venturing into the possibility of sourcing funding for relevant projects, which can add value to the Walvis Bay Corridors. This funding follows through form a previous project which was funded by the Embassy of Finland two years ago to improve economic conditions along the Walvis Bay Corridors. The previous project focused on a Study Tour of WBCG members to Finland as well as an Economic Benefit Study to assess the economic impact of corridor development activities in the medium - long term. Following the success of the previous project, the Embassy of Finland once again embarked on the current project which was granted the amount of 80,000 Euros (approximately N$889,600.00) that will be funded through the agreement in favour of WBCG.
The grant agreement, for one and a half-year project, was signed as part of the Fund for Local Cooperation of the Embassy of Finland, which supports the overall aim set for the development policy of Finland: The eradication of poverty by means of economically, socially and ecologically sustainable development.
The WBCG is duly mandated by the Ministry of Works and Transport to be at the forefront and cutting edge of facilitating trade in the SADC region and the development of transport infrastructure and facilities such that the transport and logistics sector is positioned as a key strategic imperative in the socio – economic development of the Namibian economy.
