Day: September 11, 2024

Riyadh: Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Wednesday urged Saudi companies to deepen their involvement in the Chinese market, and invest with greater confidence.

Li made the remarks in a meeting with representatives of the Saudi business community including Saudi Public Investment Fund, Saudi Arabian Oil Company, Saudi Basic Industries Corporation, ACWA Power, and the Ajlan & Bros Holding Group. Saudi Minister of Commerce Majid bin Abdullah Al-Qasabi, Minister of Investment Khalid Al-Falih, and representatives from the China-GCC (the Gulf Cooperation Council) joint investment commission also attended the meeting.

The China-Saudi Arabia economic and trade cooperation is facing many favorable conditions for further deepening, Li pointed out, adding that entrepreneurs from both countries should seize the opportunities and play a bigger role.

He encouraged Saudi companies to expand and strengthen cooperation with China in traditional sectors such as oil and gas, petrochemicals, infrastructure, and trade, whil
e enhancing cooperation in emerging and future industries like the digital and green economies.

Furthermore, Li said, the Saudi companies should actively serve as bridges to enhance friendship and mutual understanding between China and Saudi Arabia, and advance the China-Saudi Arabia comprehensive strategic partnership to new heights.

The Chinese government is committed to building a top-tier business environment that is market-driven, law-based and internationally oriented, Li added.

China will further relax market access, fully lift restrictions on foreign investment in the manufacturing sector, accelerate the opening of service sectors like telecommunications, and provide robust support for foreign enterprises, helping them establish a stronger presence in the country and achieve success in China, said the Chinese premier.

Source: The Namibia News Agency

Journalists from different media outlets completed a three – day workshop on media coverage on health matters and sensitisation on Universal Health Coverage ( UHC ) at Swakopmund on Wednesday . The workshop , which was facilitated by the Ministry of Health and Social Services ( MoHSS ) in collaboration with the World Health Organisation ( WHO ) was aimed at training journalists to enhance their understanding and communication of UHC . It was also aimed to educate the media on UHC principles : quality , equity , financial protection , and resilience as well as to simplify complex UHC topics for media communication . UHC means that every individual and community should have access to quality and affordable health services without suffering undue financial hardship or financial catastrophe . It also includes access to essential medicines , therapeutics , vaccines , and technologies that are effective , safe , and of good quality . In an interview with the media on the sidelines of the event , Deputy Director in
the Directorate of Policy and Planning in the MoHSS , Ambrosius Uakurama said the ministry aims to extend UHC awareness beyond national levels to the community , leveraging various media outlets to combat misinformation . ‘ The media ‘ s proximity to the community is crucial for disseminating accurate information so this training was part of an effort to equip journalists with the necessary background and accurate information to report on these challenges effectively ,’ he expressed . Rachel Nghimulitete , a Media Officer at the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology said the workshop enlightened her on how much progress the government has made in implementing UHC . ‘ I was not aware of just how far we have gotten as a country in terms of UHC , how we are doing right now and what we need to do in order for us to improve as a nation . I am therefore happy to hear that currently Namibia is doing well compared to other African countries in this aspect and this is despite the challenges that we are
currently facing ,’ Nghimulitete expressed . Journalist at the Windhoek Observer newspaper Stefanus Nashama noted that covering social issues and understanding the health complexity in the country are crucial for factual and accurate reporting

Source: The Namibia News Agency

Frankfurt: A leading trade fair for the aftermarket sector of the auto industry, Automechanika, kicked off on Tuesday, highlighting electrification and sustainability.

The fair, which encompasses the entire value chain of the automotive aftermarket, has drawn approximately 4,200 exhibitors from around 80 countries and regions, according to a press release from the organizer, Messe Frankfurt.

Since its launch more than 50 years ago, Automechanika Frankfurt has offered an opportunity to assess the automotive industry and its various segments, according to Detlef Braun, a member of the executive board of Messe Frankfurt. “The programme has more to offer than ever before and features all the most important trends and developments in the industry today.”

This year’s event, running until Sept. 14, features over 650 exhibitors showcasing electric vehicle expertise, with approximately a dozen Chinese companies displaying their electric vehicles.

An Electric Vehicle Expo (EVA Expo), hosted by the Automotive Sub-co
uncil of China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT Auto), is offering trade visitors an opportunity to connect with Chinese auto manufacturers and explore potential partnership opportunities during the Automechanika fair.

“This year’s concurrent ‘EVA Expo’ at Automechanika Frankfurt is a remarkable result of our Chinese colleagues’ exceptional efforts to expand their network,” commented Michael Johannes, vice president of Mobility & Logistics at Messe Frankfurt.

According to Wang Xia, chairman of CCPIT Auto, the aim of the EVA Expo is to “provide European auto markets and industry professionals with an in-depth understanding of China’s rapid transition from a market dominated by traditional automobiles to one increasingly favoring electric vehicles.”

Wang called on the automotive sector to collectively support the development of a sustainable automotive ecosystem, foster business collaboration that benefits all parties, and create win-win situations.

Source: The Namibia News A
gency

Nairobi: The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) on Wednesday issued an appeal for 21.4 million U.S. dollars to support 9.9 million forcibly displaced people and host communities across 35 African countries.

The UN refugee agency said the funds, which will run until December, aim to ramp up critical response and prevention efforts for refugees in countries impacted by the mpox emergency.

“These funds are also essential to ensure that refugees and other forcibly displaced people are fully integrated into government-led preparedness and response plans,” the UNHCR said in a statement.

The agency reported that some 88 mpox cases have been detected among refugees in Africa, with 68 cases in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), which has recorded the highest number globally. Cases have also been confirmed among refugees in the Republic of the Congo and Rwanda.

The UNHCR said although mpox has been endemic in parts of Africa for decades, the rise of a new strain, clade 1b, particularly i
n the DRC, prompted the World Health Organization to declare a public health emergency of international concern on Aug. 14.

In 2024 alone, over 20,000 suspected cases have been reported across Africa, according to the UNHCR. It called on the international community for increased financial support to enhance preparedness, reduce exposure, and mitigate the impact of the outbreak on the most vulnerable.

Africa is home to over a third of the world’s forcibly displaced population, many of whom reside in areas severely affected by mpox, exacerbating already challenging conditions caused by conflict, underfunded humanitarian efforts, and frequent disasters, the UNHCR said.

“The mpox emergency threatens to further strain already overstretched humanitarian resources, potentially disrupting critical services and aid such as food distribution, education and protection activities,” it said.

In response, the UNHCR said it has reinforced handwashing points in refugee camps and transit centers, increased soap distributi
on, and improved access to diagnostic testing. It has also enhanced disease surveillance, screening, and reporting, while expanding training for community health workers. Additionally, the UNHCR has ramped up community outreach to combat misinformation and reduce stigma surrounding mpox.

Source: The Namibia News Agency

Riyadh: Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Wednesday called on China and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries to strengthen the alignment of their development strategies and speed up the free trade agreement negotiations process.

Li made the remarks when meeting with Secretary General of the GCC Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi here.

As the most dynamic sub-regional organization in the Middle East, the GCC has made positive contributions to advancing the process of regional integration and promoting peace, stability and development in the region, the premier said.

Li said that over the past 40 years and more, China’s relations with GCC countries have enjoyed sustained, sound and steady development, and are at the forefront of China’s relations with Arab countries.

In 2022, Chinese President Xi Jinping and leaders of the GCC countries held the first China-GCC Summit, jointly drawing a new blueprint for the development of practical cooperation between both sides, said Li.

Li said China is ready to further strength
en communication and coordination with GCC countries, actively implement the outcomes of the summit, consolidate the political foundation of bilateral ties, and work together to deepen and strengthen the relations and cooperation for greater mutual benefit and win-win results.

Noting that China and GCC countries are natural partners of cooperation with strong economic complementarities, Li said China stands ready to steadily advance cooperation in the five priority areas put forward at the China-GCC Summit.

Li called on both sides to further deepen cooperation in energy, investment, innovation, science and technology, and people-to-people exchanges, expand cooperation in information and communications, digital economy, and green development, and jointly foster new momentum for the development of both sides.

Li said China is ready to strengthen policy coordination with the GCC through such mechanisms as the China-GCC Strategic Dialogue. China supports regional countries in resolving differences through dial
ogue and consultation to achieve lasting good-neighborliness and friendship.

Hailing the success of the first China-GCC Summit as a milestone for the development of bilateral relations, Albudaiwi said the GCC countries and China enjoy profound friendship and are reliable strategic partners to each other.

The GCC side is willing to join hands with China to actively implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of both sides, strengthen dialogue in various fields at all levels, deepen cooperation in energy and innovation, and enhance people-to-people exchanges, said Albudaiwi.

Albudaiwi expressed his expectation for the two sides to reach an agreement on the China-GCC free trade agreement at an early date, so as to push their ties to a higher level.

The GCC highly appreciates China’s impartial position on the Palestinian and other regional issues as well as its support for peace and stability in the Middle East, Albudaiwi added.

Source: The Namibia News Agency

Juba: Nearly 800,000 refugees who have fled conflict in Sudan are facing hunger and diseases in South Sudan amid a lack of humanitarian funding and soaring cost of food, a global charity warned Wednesday.

Save the Children said about 794,000 refugees and South Sudanese returnees, including an estimated 476,000 children who have fled to South Sudan since the conflict escalated in April 2023 have seen their food rations squeezed.

“The country’s economic crisis, however, threatens to deteriorate the value of the already inadequate food ration even further for those that will continue to receive it,” said the charity in a statement.

Famari Barro, Save the Children interim South Sudan country director, said South Sudan is in the depths of a humanitarian disaster; already one of the world’s poorest countries, reeling from the impacts of the climate crisis and food insecurity.

“Hundreds of thousands of children across the country rely on food rations to survive, many will now be plunged into even further precari
ty and exposure to malnutrition, disease and protection risks like child marriage or labor as families are forced to desperate measures,” Barro added.

The UN’s World Food Program (WFP) provides food rations and cash to refugees and South Sudanese returnees fleeing conflict in Sudan. It said recent funding shortfalls have meant that since 2022, refugees seeking safety in South Sudan only receive half of what the WFP considers a full food ration.

The charity said that further cuts are taking place in the refugee camps, which will affect the majority of Sudanese refugees who fled to South Sudan before April 2023 and will leave many more established refugee families without any direct food assistance.

The refugees have expressed fears that the food cuts affecting the longer-established refugee community in South Sudan will prompt people to leave the camp and even consider going back to Sudan despite a lack of safety.

The charity said conditions for refugees in South Sudan are dire as new arrivals live in flim
sy shelters that offer little protection from the elements, while sanitation is poor. It warned that the looming threat of malnutrition from food shortages brings more risk of diseases, with severe acute malnutrition shutting down children’s immune systems and making otherwise non-life-threatening conditions like diarrhea potentially lethal.

Source: The Namibia News Agency