Former Namibian minister calls for clear plan on China mining agreements
via The Namibian2 min read
Former mines and energy minister Tom Alweendo has urged the Namibian government to publish a detailed implementation plan for the new mineral agreements signed with China. These agreements, part of nine cooperation deals covering various sectors, were established during President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah鈥檚 state visit to China from July 6 to 11. Alweendo emphasized the need to translate these diplomatic agreements into measurable economic benefits and an industrial plan that can attract investment and be evaluated by Namibians. He suggested the plan should identify priority minerals, outline processing stages, assign ministerial responsibilities, address infrastructure gaps, and set annual targets for investment, skills development, local suppliers, and exports. Alweendo stressed building a competitive minerals industry rather than solely relying on raw mineral exports, noting that uranium constituted 85% of Namibia's N$23.4 billion exports to China last year. He cautioned that banning raw mineral exports alone would not create factories or jobs, highlighting the need for dependable feedstock, affordable electricity, water, logistics, technical skills, environmental controls, working capital, and long-term buyers for processing plants. The Independent Patriots for Change IPC also questioned the transparency of these agreements, calling for details on the deals and involved companies. Rodney Cloete, IPC shadow minister of international relations and trade, raised concerns about
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by The Namibian.
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