Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation , Jenelly Matundu has said although Namibia is well positioned for international cooperation with the adopted Special Economic Zone ( SEZ ) Policy , its classification as an upper – middle income country hinders its efforts . Speaking during a panel discussion on Indonesia – Africa development cooperation at the second Indonesia – Africa Forum ( IAF ) in Bali , Indonesia on Tuesday , Matundu said though the SEZ policy provides guidelines on how to cooperate with different countries for developmental cooperation , Namibia remains challenged in acquiring concessional loans for development corporations . ‘ We appeal day and night to the World Bank to look at the factor of being classified as an upper – middle – income country . It is something we welcome , being at that level , but on the other hand it really hinders our progress when it comes to our developmental cooperation ,’ she said . Namibia adopted the SEZ Policy in August 2022 , aimed at providi
ng fiscal and non – fiscal investment incentives for various investment categories such as exporters and manufacturers . Speaking at the same event , Director General for Information and Public Diplomacy from Indonesia ‘ s Ministry of Foreign Affairs , Siti Nugraha Mauludiah said her country is committed to cooperation and partnership , infrastructure development , as well as capacity building , including those in which Namibia has participated , such as the drilling training programmes by the Indonesia Drilling Training Centre . ‘ We are committed to actually have our development cooperation for Africa have strong alignment with the global development agenda for 2063 . The vision is to enhance shared prosperity , foster sustainable development and strengthen cooperation , ensuring mutual economic growth and resilience for both Indonesia and African nations ,’ she said . Mauludiah indicated that based on the comprehensive panel discussion , key explored sectors by both Indonesia and Africa include energy , mi
nerals , agriculture , education , health , as well as business development and infrastructure . She indicated that existing challenges include capacity in different development goals of cooperation , something that Indonesia has been addressing by building its own capacity since 2019 through the establishment of the Indonesian Development Forum on different corporations . While chairing the Joint Leaders Session of the High – Level Forum on Multi – Stakeholder Partnership and second IAF on Monday , Indonesia ‘ s President Joko Widodo said the Indonesia – Africa partnership has so far been concrete , resulting in trade volume and various trade agreements . It has also resulted in this year ‘ s forum recording business deals reaching US . dollars 3 . 5 billion compared to US . dollars 568 million in 2018 during the first forum

Source:The Namibia News Agency