Namibian President Hifikepunye Pohamba arrived in Hanoi on November 18, starting his three-day State visit to Vietnam at the invitation of President Truong Tan Sang.

He is accompanied by Foreign Minister Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, Minister of Home Affairs and Immigration Pendukeni Iivula Ithana, Minister of Agriculture, Water and Forestry John Mutorwa, Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources Bernard Esau, and Minister of Trade and Industry Calle Schlettwein.

The visit is expected to foster cooperation between Vietnam and the African country, especially in trade, investment, agro-forestry, seafood, education and aviation.

During the visit, the two sides will exchange views on several regional and international issues of common concern as well as sign a number of cooperative documents.

Vietnam and Namibia set up their diplomatic ties in 1990, based on the sound traditional relationship first started in the 1970s between the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) and the South West Africa People’s Organisation (SWAPO) – the current ruling party in Namibia .

Two-way trade was recorded at 1.3 million USD last year.

Vietnam mainly imports steel, animal and vegetable oil from Namibia while exporting garments, coffee, timber products to the market.

At present, the two countries are implementing a tri-party seafood cooperation project funded by the UN Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO).-VNA