MoU between Namport and port of Dunkque represents growth in Franco-Namibia cooperation

The port of Walvis Bay recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with France’s Dunkerque Port, yet another milestone in Franco-Namibian relations.

The MoU makes provision for the management of the two ports to join hands for mutual training opportunities, information sharing and joint efforts to grow intraport business relations.

In a press statement Namport states: “Namibia fostered new relationships with the French People through the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Namibian Ports Authority and the Dunkerque Port.
During his opening remarks, CEO of Namport, Mr Bisey /Uirab said that “this relationship be-tween Namibia and France have enjoyed healthy growth over the past years since independence”. He further indicated that “it is with great pleasure that Namport joins hands with the Dunkerque Port and pledged support to-wards Namport’s drive to render superior customer service to all clients”.
Speaking at the same ceremony, CEO of Dunkerque Port, Mr Stéphane Raison reiterated the primary focus of the MOU which is to collaborate, share information, training opportunities as well as to grow business relations between the two ports.
Talking on behalf of the French Government, Her Excellency Madam Clair Bodonyi could not hide her gratification and said that “without connectivity there is no relationship with various countries”. She pledged her tireless commitment to continue to grow relationships be-tween Namibia and France in other spheres such as Tourism etc.
The MOU will ensure that the two ports intensify and extend cooperation and port industrial activities, it also explores mutually beneficial initiatives with a view to sharing information and policies on a wide range of topics relevant to activities of the parties including but not limited to, infrastructure development, environmental furtherance and commercial water front development which aims at enhancing trade and maritime services. The MOU further endorses both entities cooperate in the areas of training of staff members, exchange of information and experiences as well as transferring knowledge on technologies of port operations and management.
Currently, Namport facilitates the movement of various consumables from Europe destined to a number of African countries. Late last year, Namport also witnessed the first consignment of vehicle parts destined for the Peugeot vehicle plant that opened in Walvis Bay”.