HARARE: Zimbabwean companies can increase their earnings through exploiting the goods and service supply gap in Namibia, a Zimtrade survey has shown. Presenting the findings of the study in Bulawayo Friday, ZimTrade director of Africa corporate advisors, Malvin Rusike, said local companies should produce for export in order to grow the economy.
He said pharmaceutical, construction and leather industries have the potential to lead the country’s trade profile. Rusike said trade between Zimbabwe and Namibia should not be a challenge given the existing infrastructure linking the two countries and cordial bilateral relations.
“As of last year, the Namibian import bill was at $7.5 billion with Zimbabwe contributing about $9 million. Namibia has vast opportunities in construction, pharmaceuticals, consumer goods and leather products,” said Rusike.
“It’s of great importance that local exporters push for that market as the country currently owns less than one percent of the market share in Namibia.” He also said Namibia presents opportunities for the veterinary products, professional services, engineering, medical, hospitality and teaching sectors as well as fast moving consumer goods.
“There’s building of new shopping malls like Grove Mall and Maerua Mall in Windhoek and in other towns as well. Also huge industrial and commercial buildings are being constructed with extensive residential construction projects also currently underway,” said Rusike.
