Brussels — Director of Ceremonies;Honourable Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah; Commissioner Jutta Urpilainen; Honourable Ministers; Ambassador Mekondjo Kaapanda-Girnus; Distinguished Industry Leaders and Panellists; Ladies and Gentlemen; Members of the Media
Among us, we have Andrada Mining that is looking to exploit deposits of Lithium and associated minerals that could well be more than 138 million tonnes. We also have Broadmind Mining with a maiden inferred resource of 570 million tonnes of light rare earths. These materials are essential for achieving our green and clean energy objectives and are in high demand across other industrial sectors, from aerospace to electronics and health.
The collaboration with the EU is aligned with our National Development Plans, including Vision 2030, our National Industrial Policy, Growth at Home Strategy, the SADC Protocol on Industry, and the Mineral Beneficiation Strategy for Namibia. The Namibian Government has adopted the Harambee Prosperity Plans I and II to accelerate implementation and impact of the aforementioned plans and strategies.
We are focussing on these sectors because Namibia is endowed with year-round sunlight, proximity to the Atlantic Ocean, and abundant wind power resources. These endowments provide a strong foundation for Namibia to become an exporter of a diverse portfolio of clean energy products. The production and export of renewable hydrogen and its derivatives, coupled with energy efficiency, electrification, and direct use of renewable energy, will offer Namibia the opportunity to achieve energy security.
Namibia and the EU commit to start investing in new industries in Namibia that will result in a bustling secondary sector. On this occasion, more than 100 businesses have gathered from Namibia and the EU to answer that clarion call.
I am pleased to see that big shipping companies like Compagnie Maritime Belge have chosen Namibia as their key African hub and they intend to start using ammonia as a clean fuel for their shipping fleet by establishing a bunkering facility in Walvis Bay. Namibia’s entry into this lucrative new industry will meaningfully contribute to the tertiary sector of our economy.It is apparent that we have gathered here today to truly transform the make-up of the commercial relationship that binds us.