Tobacco to Boost Namibian Economy-Diplomat

Source from:  StarAfrica.com‎ 04/23/2015

The heavily scrutinised tobacco project envisaged for the Zambezi region by Chinese investors will be beneficial to the Namibian economy, Chinese Ambassador to Namibia, Xin Shunkang said Monday. Last month, many Namibians, including former health and social services minister Dr Richard Kamwi have criticised the government decision to sell 10 000 hectares of communal land to a Chinese company, Namibia Oriental Tobacco cc to produce tobacco.

The former minister has stressed that such plantation is not in the best interest of Namibians, and that it will negatively affect the surrounding communities.

Ambassador Shunkang who was accompanied by 15 Chinese experts in agriculture told journalists that a similar tobacco project in Zimbabwe has benefited that country's economy, which is now among the top tobacco exporters in the world.

Zimbabwe's tobacco quality is very good and they have earned a lot of money through it. So, I have suggested that Chinese companies teach Namibian farmers how to plant tobacco, for them to also earn money through this, said the Chinese ambassador.

Namibia Oriental Tobacco cc intends to set up over $81 million tobacco plantation in the north eastern region.

I want to clarify that the tobacco produced here will not be sold or used in Namibia. Once there is a plantation and after the processing, it will be moved to the Chinese market,he said adding that Chinese investors are ready and waiting to commence with the project. Enditem