Relationship between the Czech Republic and Namibia is historically positively determined as the Czech Republic supported Namibia in gaining its independency between the years of 1966 and 1988. Furthermore, great amount of Namibian scholars graduated from Czech universities and there is an ongoing Czech/Namibia Youth development program too. Last but not the least, Namibia is becoming very popular tourist destination for many of Czech citizens. Trade balance between the Czech Republic and Namibia reached in 2017 11,3 mil USD and has growing tendency. Despite no common history between the Czech Republic and Botswana, the forum clearly showed both countries sharing the same business values and being ready to promote and encourage mutual trade. Trade balance between the Czech Republic and Botswana reached similarly 11 mil USD indicating growing tendency. Both Namibia and Botswana stated intention to sign agreed upon Double Taxation Avoidance Agreements in near future.

Namibian delegation headed by Honorable Minister, T. Tweya, consisted of cattle farming, dairy products manufacturing, vegetables growing and dried fruit processing companies. Meat processing companies were represented by the Meat Board of Namibia. Together with the executive director of Botswana Investment and Trade Centre (BITC), Mr Moemedi Mokgosi, Botswana delegates came from sectors of agriculture, aircraft maintenance, pilot training, defence and IT. Over 50 Czech companies from great variety of sectors came to meet with both delegations. Present were representatives of agriculture and food industry (Ministry of Agriculture, Food Chamber, Tekro spol. s.r.o, Greativity Group s.r.o., Čiperný Grunt s.r.o. etc.), defence industry (ERA a.s., EXCALIBUR ARMY spol. s.r.o., STV Group a.s., JISR institute a.s., Imeco Ltd etc.). Czech companies from the following sectors were attended the event too: health (LINET s.r.o.), banking (ČSOB a.s.), logistics (LOGSPEED CZ s.r.o.), water management (ANTARES-AZV s.r.o.), brewing (WELL SERVICE s.r.o., PACOVSKÉ STROJÍRNY, a.s.), engineering (Smart Construct Technologies s.r.o.) and many more.

During the busy schedule, the delegations underwent several site visits, getting to know technologies and processes used by Czech entrepreneurs. Site visits included companies Mlékárna Hlinsko a.s., Farmtec a.s., Euro Bagging s.r.o, Zetor Tractors a.s., Well Service s.r.o. and more.

Head of the Namibian delegation, Minister T. Tweya, attended bilateral meetings with Czech Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Martin Tlapa, and Czech Deputy Minster of Industry and Trade, Mr Vladimír Bärtl. During the short meetings current economic states and possibilities of mutually beneficial cooperation in both countries were discussed.

Main event of the visit was Czech-Namibian-Botswana business forum which was held at the premises of the Ministry of Industry and Trade known as Petschek Palace on the 20^th November from 14:00. The objective of the forum was to introduce business and other investment opportunities in participating countries and therefore creating connections between Czech, Namibian and Botswana companies. Czech Deputy Minster of Industry and Trade, Mr V. Bärtl, opened the forum and amongst many other things highlighted great business potential of Namibia and Botswana not only because of their strategically convenient position within Sub-Saharan Africa. Namibian Minister, Mr T. Tweya, thereafter mentioned Czech Republic being well valued business partner for future cooperation in both Europe and Africa. Ms T. Černá from the Czech Ministry of Agriculture, Mr A. Vážanský from the Cezch-Slovak-Namibian Chamber and Mr Moemedi Mogkosi from BITC then introduced  their institutions and current business opportunities. B2B meetings followed right after speakers finished and carried on till late hours  over an informal supper.

Initiator of the event was the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Pretoria who secured participation of Namibian and Botswana delegates and accompanied the delegation during the course of their stay. Ministry of the Industry and Trade, represented by Mr Václav Hankovec, had a role of the administrator and for that matter cooperated with the Confederation of Industry of the Czech republic and Czech-Slovak-Namibian Chamber too.

Despite the tight schedule, all  participants, including Czech companies, perceived the whole event being very successful, gathering useful contacts as a stepping stone towards future business exchange.

Many thanks to all of You who contributed towards the overall success of the event – thank You!

Author: Viktor Dolista, Industry and Trade Specialist of the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Pretoria