Namibia’s President invited Bulgaria to invest in his country

Bulgaria’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ekaterina Zaharieva on November 13 talked in Windhoek with the President of the Republic of Namibia - Hage Gottfried Geingob. This is the first visit of Bulgarian foreign minister to the country.

"Thank you for Bulgaria’s help in our fight for independence. We are friendly countries. Now our relations must be brought to a new phase - in the economy. Invest in our peaceful and democratic country,” said President Geingob. The meeting was also attended by the Prime Minister of Namibia, Mrs. Saara Kuugongelwa.

"Bulgaria supported you in the fight for independence, we were one of the first countries to recognize your country in 1990. Let’s focus on relations between business and young people,” Zaharieva urged.

She added that Namibia can count on assistance at European level in the area of youth policy, education and culture as these will be the areas of the future Bulgarian EU Commissioner Mariya Gabriel.

The Bulgarian Deputy Prime Minister added that Bulgaria is fourth in economic growth in the EU and that dozens of Namibians have completed their higher education in the country, and now our country is ready to give scholarships again to African students, especially in the field of engineering and high technology.

President Geingob said he relied on Bulgaria's experience in youth policies: “We have high youth unemployment, our education still does not meet the needs of the labour market. And young people do not have the preparation to start their own businesses. Encouraging innovation and adding value to the raw materials we extract is important. The youth in our country should be engaged."

Agriculture, tourism, setting up start-up companies and projects in support of women's empowerment were also highlighted as potential topics for cooperation during the talks. Both sides expressed their willingness to work for the development of the legal and contractual basis between Bulgaria and Namibia.