Farai Mabeza, Senior Staff Writer 
THE National Handling Services (NHS) is in the market for US$5 million to equip its dry port in Walvis Bay, Namibia.
This follows a US$1 million investment by NHS into the facility since it assumed authority at the port in July 2019.
“We have invested … in the facility since we took over and we are happy that the dry port is now available and ready for use.
“We need another US$5 million for the port to be fully equipped,” NHS director and company secretary, Question Maisera told a meeting held jointly by a Namibian business delegation and the members of the Zimbabwean business community this week.
“We implore the government to assist us to make sure we give an efficient service. We still have a bit of capital investment that we still need to do. We can only realise our full potential once all stakeholders support this facility. Priority will be given to all the Zimbabwean companies that wish to use the dry port”.
Maisera urged local businesses to make use of the facility.
“It is a one-stop shop facility and is 100 metres from the terminal with 18 000 square metres of bulk space.
“The rates that we are charging are very competitive and there is improved cargo processing and office space for agents,” he said.
“Our yard is fully bonded”.
Zimbabwe and Namibia will in the next two months hold roadshows to promote the dry port.
The two countries are currently working on strengthening trade between them, by promoting the use of the Trans-Kalahari and Lumbumbashi routes, to and from the Walvis Bay Port, and in the process promoting the use of the Zimbabwe Dry Port.
This is being spearheaded under the auspices of the Walvis Bay Corridor Group (WBCG).
The WBCG, a public private partnership, was established in the year 2000 as a service and facilitation centre to promote the benefits of using the Walvis Bay corridors through the Port of Walvis Bay to and from Southern Africa.
The dry port facility was officially opened by President Emmerson Mnangagwa and his Namibian counterpart Hage Geingob on July 26, 2019.
Zimbabwe was given a 50-year lease of 1,82 hectares for the construction of the port, which is expected to provide a strategic and cheaper gateway to the Atlantic Ocean for Zimbabwean manufacturers and international businesses.
The two countries also expect the dry port to open business opportunities and markets for them to trade in fish, beef, salt, granite and other minerals.
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