Brazil seeks more trade with Namibia
Brazil’s ambassador to Namibia, Vivian Sanmartin, says concerted efforts should be made to bolster trade between the two countries, given the trade opportunities that have not yet been fully unlocked.
Sanmartin made these remarks during a Brazil-Namibia trade forum meeting held yesterday.
According to Sanmartin, despite the separation of the two countries by the Atlantic Ocean, Namibia and Brazil are neighbours with plenty of room for increased trade.
“Brazil and Namibia are neighbours across the Atlantic, and as neighbours, we ought to reach out to each other if we are willing to seize the opportunities for investment and cooperation that exist, including some that are still unknown,” she said.
Namibia could benefit greatly from increased trade with Brazil, as the country has a wide range of goods and services it could offer Namibia under favourable conditions, Sanmartin said.
“Brazil is well-suited to offer Namibia a wide range of products and services, from machinery to consumer goods, from hospitality equipment to information technology solutions, from agricultural inputs to implements, and from aviation services to defence and security items, at competitive prices,” Sanmartin said.
Diversification
Sanmartin also lamented the low levels of trade and noted that it was not sufficiently diversified.
“Our bilateral trade remains very low and not sufficiently diversified. Brazilian exports accounted for US$12.7 million, while Namibian exports were US$3.5 million, which is very low indeed,” she said.
Sanmartin pointed to the ease of connection between the two countries, owing to the recent reintroduction of flights between South Africa and Brazil through Johannesburg and São Paulo, respectively.
“There is a market to explore on both sides of the Atlantic. The good news is that from 2023, we have flights connecting the City of São Paulo and Johannesburg, and from there to Windhoek,” Sanmartin said.
“These new routes between Namibia and Brazil provide a convenient way to visit each other's countries for holidays and business,” she added.
Sanmartin made these remarks during a Brazil-Namibia trade forum meeting held yesterday.
According to Sanmartin, despite the separation of the two countries by the Atlantic Ocean, Namibia and Brazil are neighbours with plenty of room for increased trade.
“Brazil and Namibia are neighbours across the Atlantic, and as neighbours, we ought to reach out to each other if we are willing to seize the opportunities for investment and cooperation that exist, including some that are still unknown,” she said.
Namibia could benefit greatly from increased trade with Brazil, as the country has a wide range of goods and services it could offer Namibia under favourable conditions, Sanmartin said.
“Brazil is well-suited to offer Namibia a wide range of products and services, from machinery to consumer goods, from hospitality equipment to information technology solutions, from agricultural inputs to implements, and from aviation services to defence and security items, at competitive prices,” Sanmartin said.
Diversification
Sanmartin also lamented the low levels of trade and noted that it was not sufficiently diversified.
“Our bilateral trade remains very low and not sufficiently diversified. Brazilian exports accounted for US$12.7 million, while Namibian exports were US$3.5 million, which is very low indeed,” she said.
Sanmartin pointed to the ease of connection between the two countries, owing to the recent reintroduction of flights between South Africa and Brazil through Johannesburg and São Paulo, respectively.
“There is a market to explore on both sides of the Atlantic. The good news is that from 2023, we have flights connecting the City of São Paulo and Johannesburg, and from there to Windhoek,” Sanmartin said.
“These new routes between Namibia and Brazil provide a convenient way to visit each other's countries for holidays and business,” she added.
