Namibia Embassy Berlin -

Gäste des Ausschusses für Wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit und Entwicklung (AWZ) am 14.03.2014: Gespräch mit dem Botschafter der Republik Namibia in Deutschland, S.E. Neville Gertze und dem Botschafter der Republik Namibia in Brüssel, S.E. Hanno Rumpf, über den Stand der EPA-Verhandlungen zwischen der SADC-EPA Gruppierung und der EU-Kommission

2013 Namibian-German Bilateral Negotiations on Development Cooperation

The negotiations on development cooperation between the Government of the Republic of Namibia and the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany ended on 22 November 2013. Both Governments reaffirmed their main objectives of the development cooperation as to support the Namibian Government in its efforts to reduce poverty, improve infrastructure and the sustainable use of natural resources, as well as to foster sustainable economic development. The Namibian-German cooperation is aligned with the goals of the Fourth National Development Plan (NDP4). The negotiations were held in a very friendly and open atmosphere and were characterized by intensive, transparent, and fruitful discussions.

1st photo left: (f.l.t.r.) Onno Hückmann (Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany in Namibia), Alois Schneider (Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development), Willem Goeiemann (Chief National Development Advice of the National Planning Commission), and Neville Gertze (Ambassador of the Republic of Namibia in Germany) (© German Embassy Windhoek)

2nd photo right: Enlarge image Alois Schneider from the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (l.) and Chief National Development Advice of the National Planning Commission, Willem Goeiemann (r.) (© German Embassy Windhoek)

The Namibia delegation was led by the Chief: National Development Advice at the National Planning Commission (NPC), Mr. Willem Goeiemann whereas the delegation of Federal Republic of Germany was headed by Mr. Alois Schneider, who is in charge of the Division for Southern Africa at the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). In attendance was H.E. Mr. Onno Hückmann, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Namibia, H.E. Mr. Neville Gertze, the Ambassador of the Republic of Namibia to the Federal Republic of Germany and other high ranking officials.

For more information, click here to download the Joint Press Release.

Other Related Documents:

Statement by the Head of the Negotiation Delegation – NPC

Opening Statement by the German Head of Delegation

Opening Statement by German Ambassador

Closing statement by the Namibian Ambassador

NAMIBIAN-GERMAN SPECIAL INITIATIVE PROGRAMME (NGSIP)

About NGSIP

The Namibian-German Special Initiative Programme (NGSIP) was conceptualized and designed by the Government of the Republic of Namibia in 2006. H.E. President Hifikepunye Pohamba instructed then Deputy Prime Minister, Dr. Libertina Amadhila, to consult communities that had suffered during the German colonial period on how best to utilize a sum of Euros 20 million (then approximately N$ 200 million) which the German Government had granted towards improving the social and economic living programme design conditions of those communities.

Honorable Peter Katjavivi, MP – Namibian Parliament, H.E. Onno Huckmann, German Ambassador to Namibia, and Ms Heidemarie Wieczorek-Zeul, MP – German Parliament, with beneficiaries of NGSIP goats, Otjimbingwe, Karibib Constituency, Erongo region

The result was a uniquely participatory rural development programme with more than 200 small and medium scale projects identified and managed by the selected communities. These communities are amongst the most disadvantaged in the country in terms of access to economic and social welfare resources. They are located in 24 Constituencies of the 7 regions of Erongo, Hardap, Karas, Khomas, Kunene, Omaheke and Otjozondjupa. Communities were able to select projects in any economic and social development sector according to their own assessment of priorities.

The implementation of the NGSIP is undertaken by National Planning Commission (NPC) which has formed a program management team for this purpose. The German Development Bank, KfW, finances the programme on behalf of the German government. In addition, NPC has selected technical advisors that were charged with the preparation and implementation process of the projects.

Phase 1 of the Programme commenced in 2008 and included 40 borehole rehabilitation projects and 10 agricultural projects. For phase 2, launched in April 2011, funding to the amount of approximately N$ 146 million was made available for project investments.

To make up for project budget short-falls, due to inflation losses and initial under-budgeting, and hence to enable commitments to implement projects, as initially approved in the 2007 Feasibility Report, to be honoured, the German Government granted additional Euro 11 million for the Programme. Formal inter-governmental agreements making these funds available were signed in June 2013. The implementation phase of the Programme is due to be completed at the end of October 2014. Click here to read more....

Click here for a detailed pdf

PRESS RELEASE, EMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC OF NAMIBIA, BERLIN

27 MAY 2011

BERLIN- On the occasion of the biennial government negotiations between the Republic of Namibia and the Federal Republic of Germany, Hon. Tom Alweendo, Director General of the National Planning Commission led the Namibian delegation to Germany from 23-27 May 2011.

The negotiations were held in a cordial spirit and reinforced the commitment of the two governments to strengthen cooperation in three focal sectors, namely natural resources management, sustainable economic development and transport. The Director General also visited projects in the renewable energy and tourism sectors.

At the conclusion of the negotiations Hon. Alweendo met with Hon. Dirk Niebel, the Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development. Hon Niebel informed his counterpart that Germany recognizes its historic responsibility towards Namibia and pledged his country's commitment to continue implementing a friendly development policy between the two countries.