Simpler SA business visas coming - Geingob The Namibian government will soon introduce multiple-entry visas for South African businesspeople visiting Namibia, President Hage Geingob told investors in South Africa last week.Geingob was at the Emperor''s Palace conference centre in Johannesburg to launch an investors'' conference hosted by the Namibian embassy.
“In the near future, all businesspeople from South Africa will receive multiple-entry visas on arrival, with minimal hassle. This is part of the change in mindset and processes which goes hand-in-hand with business unusual,” Geingob said.
The Namibian business sector had complained about a government decision to compel South African business travellers to acquire business visas from the Namibian High Commission in Pretoria.
The Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI) in particular condemned the cumbersome red tape.
Multiple entry visas would allow said business visitors to come and go between Namibia for extended periods of time before having to be renewed.
The anticipated visa reforms would form part of the Harambee Prosperity Plan, Geingob told South African investors.
While hailing South Africa as Namibia''s top trading partner for imports and exports, Geingob pointed out that trade was skewed in favour of South Africa.
In 2014, Namibia imported N$51 billion worth of goods from South Africa, but exported only N$8 billion there.
In 2015 that trade deficit had widened to N$62 billion worth of imports from South Africa and exports of N$11.4 billion.
Official statistics show that South African exports to Namibia constitute 5% of that country''s global trade.
Additionally, Namibians invested about N$110 billion in South Africa in 2015, the form of pension funds, long-term insurance and other investments.
“I am convinced that given the levels of South African industrialisation, we in Namibia should be able to benefit by leveraging the opportunities that this economy provides,” Geingob said.
“For example, why should we purchase a Puma helicopter from France when these helicopters are also produced and assembled in South Africa?”
Sourcing from South Africa, he said, meant Namibia would benefit from paying in local currency, and spare parts could be flown in within hours.
DENVER ISAACS