5 August 2003

South Africa and Nambia on Friday signed a natural gas and trade agreement in Windhoek which will allow for the shipping of gas between the two countries.

The two countries also agreed to co-operate on a wide range of policy issues, including the establishment of a binational commission, health, safety and environment, technical standards, pipeline routing, ownership and operation of crossings, third party access, and tariffs.

The implementation of the agreement is expected to provide employment and training opportunities for both Namibians and South Africans, as well as the transfer of technological and technical expertise.

According to Trade and Industry Minister Alec Erwin, the agreement outlines the framework and conditions within which the two countries will facilitate trade and the implementation of gas trade projects.

"It's a cross-border agreement and sets out legal parameters on how gas should be shipped across the border," he said.

President Thabo Mbeki and his Namibian counterpart, Sam Nujoma, chaired Friday's meeting at State House in Windhoek.

Speaking after the signing, Mbeki said the agreements should motivate the 12 other members of the Southern African Development Community to enter into similar deals in order to eradicate poverty and underdevelopment in the region.

Nujoma said the deal would go a long way in shaping public and private companies' involvement in the economic growth of both nations and the region.

Source: BuaNews

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	Department of Foreign Affairs  Dept of Trade & Industry

SA's trade relations South Africa, a founding member of GATT and active member of the WTO, is party to numerous trade relationships. Find out more.