Chinese Ambassador to Namibia Zhao Weiping has urged Namibian businesses to use China’s major trade exhibitions and newly expanded zero-tariff access to grow exports and build commercial partnerships.
He made the remarks at the Chinese Embassy’s second press briefing of the year in Windhoek on November 3, ahead of the ninth China International Import Expo (CIIE), according to Xinhua.
Zhao described the CIIE as an important platform for Namibian producers to explore the Chinese market, meet buyers, and strengthen bilateral commercial ties.
The ambassador said tariff-free access gives Namibian products favorable conditions in China, but businesses must actively promote them and establish direct links with potential purchasers to convert policy access into sustained trade growth.
He added that the embassy will intensify promotion of Chinese trade fairs and encourage more Namibian participation.
Zhao specifically highlighted agricultural exports, saying China wants to import more African farm products and is paying particular attention to Namibian grapes.
The policy could especially benefit products that previously faced tariffs, including fruit, wine, coffee, and cocoa from across the continent.
The six-day expo will run from November 5 to 10 at Shanghai’s National Exhibition and Convention Center and is expected to host 4,142 overseas exhibitors, with exhibition space exceeding 440,000 square meters for the first time.
China expanded zero-tariff treatment on May 1 to all 53 African countries with which it has diplomatic relations, including Namibia. The policy covers 100 percent of tariff lines and is intended to make African goods more competitive in the Chinese market.
For the 20 African countries not classified as least developed countries, the treatment is being applied through preferential tariff rates for two years while China negotiates longer-term economic partnership agreements. The 33 African least developed countries already benefiting from full zero-tariff treatment continue under the earlier arrangement introduced in December 2024.
