The Namibian government says it to add value to Zambian copper concentrates currently being processed at Namibia’s Tsumeb Customs Smelter in the Oshikoto Region.
Revealing this in WINDHOEK , TODAY, Zambian High Commissioner to Namibia, Mavis Muyunda said that to enhance bilateral relations between Namibia and Zambia, the two countries have agreed to look into producing copper products from the Zambian copper concentrates being processed in Tsumeb, as a way of adding value to the mineral.
“Trade on the corridor has been enhanced following the construction of the Katima Mulilo Bridge across the Zambezi River. That’s why the copper concentrate leaves Zambia to be processed into blister copper in Tsumeb in Namibia,” Ms. Muyunda said.
The blister copper will then be transported to the port of Walvis Bay, for export United States of America and Europe, among others.
“We want to add value to our processed copper and we have agreed to do so in future,” she said.
She further said the process of adding value to the Zambian copper concentrate in Namibia is to be determined through a feasibility study that would be undertaken in the near future.
To reduce pressure on roads for the purpose of trade within the Southern African Development Community (SADC), Ms. Muyunda said the two countries have proposed extending the Zambia railway line from Mulobezi in Southern Province into Namibia.
“This would enhance the transport system on the Walvis Bay-Livingstone-Ndola-Lubumbashi Corridor. Since Zambia intends to increase exports to Namibia, the proposed railway connection would improve trade between the two countries,” she said.
The aim of developing the Walvis Bay-Livingstone-Ndola-Lubumbashi Corridor was to give Zambia and the southern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) access to the port of Walvis Bay, she further explained.
Muyunda said Zambia is also connected to Namibia by air.
Air Namibia recently launched flights between Windhoek and Lusaka, Zambia via Johannesburg effective 25 October 2009, with traffic rights to uplift passengers between Johannesburg and Lusaka.
These flights are operating five times a week on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
“There is great potential for increased economic growth between our two countries, provided that trade volumes are increased substantially,” she noted.
Meanwhile, Zambian president Rupiah Banda is among the SADC leaders who are gathered in Windhoek for the SADC Jubilee Summit.
The summit would be concluded on Tuesday with official celebrations of SADC’s 30th Jubilee.
Angola, Botswana, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Namibia, Lesotho, South Africa, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Mauritius, Seychelles, Mozambique, Swaziland and Malawi are the current member States of SADC, while the Indian Ocean Island nation of Madagascar remains suspended. Madagascar is experiencing political problems, and was suspended by the regional body in March 2009.
ZANIS
How does that benefit Zambia????? Can somebody tell me!!!! We will still continue exporting it as Concentrate anyway. Is this news, I would have expected that Tsumeb Smelter will come and open shop in Zambia or put in secondary Industry in Zambia.
Why can’t we have our own smelter? come on Zambia
I always thought Mulobezi ( You are sleeping) was in Western Province. I have just checked again and its indeed in Western Province not Southern Province.
Abena Mukabe and Starik. Do you see the calibre of our diplomats? This must certainly say something about our president as well considering that he is the one who appoints them.
I have said it in another blog that we have a bofoon for a President. How can a sane President leave the country for Congo Brazaville, fly directly to Namibia and then diretly to Mozambique. Why is he scared to seat in state house!!! Is he being haunted or what. This is the worst case of irresponsibility from a President, and we need to step up the temple as Zambians. Enough is enough and lets not accept this mediocre kind of leadership anymore
The calbre of our leaders is very much below par.How could a sane diplomat create jobs for foreigners by using our copper cons.
The Copper Concentrates are a private commodity since we have privatised the Mines. They belong to foreigners. Now when the leave the boarder to be processed or value added outside, the proceeeds do not come back to Zambia.
SO where is the BENEFIT for ZAMBIA. Comedy continues.
This is sad news for me. I thought the goverment was encouraging the local processing of copper. What is this about???
Can somebody please tell me, Does the LT editor get a salary? If so he is stealing from LT coz the stories are full of grammatical errors, its annoying sometimes.