Sikongo Haihanbo, executive director of the Ministry of Trade and Industry of Namibia, recently accepted an exclusive interview with a reporter from Xinhua News Agency in the capital Windhoek. He said that promoting the joint construction of the "Belt and Road" has a major impact on the economic development of Namibia and is an important factor for Namibia and other African countries. key factor for further economic growth.Haihanbo said that roads are a necessary condition for promoting the flow of people and goods between countries and between continents, and can bring tangible benefits.Not only Namibia can benefit from the joint construction of the "Belt and Road", but also countries in the global South and developed countries can benefit from it."There is a Chinese saying that impressed me deeply, that is, 'If you want to get rich, build roads first.' Without convenient roads, how can we talk about the circulation of people and goods." Haihanbo said that Chinese companies have participated in the investment and construction of ports in Namibia, Infrastructure such as roads and railways is not only crucial to Namibia's economic growth, but also drives the economic development of neighboring countries such as Botswana, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.Haihanbo said, "We welcome more Chinese companies and individuals to invest in Namibia, create more jobs for local people, and achieve mutual benefit and win-win results."Haihanbo said that Namibia can learn from China, the world's second largest economy. Not only will it have the opportunity to learn successful experiences, but it can also directly benefit from them and promote Namibia's early industrialization.He said that China is a good friend and old friend worthy of entrustment.Talking about how Chinese enterprises can continue to play a role in the economic development of African countries, Haihanbo believes that the African Continental Free Trade Area and the high-quality joint construction of the "Belt and Road" complement each other.He hopes that with the help of Chinese partners, the proportion of trade within the African continent can grow from the current level of less than 20% to a level similar to or higher than that of other continents in the world, improving the basic lives of residents on the African continent.
