📋 Tender Overview
Since the establishment of the Walvis Bay Corridor Group WBCG 19 years ago trade volumes from neighbouring countries have grown from zero to more than 750 000 tonnes per year.This represents direct revenue of about N500 million per year for ports railways and the road transport sector as a direct result of the development of transport corridors.The WBCG was created in the year 2000 to promote imports and exports through the Port of Walvis Bay. This was part of the Namibian governments plan to turn Namibia into a logistics hub for the SADC region by capitalising on the countrys strategic location.Since then significant investment has gone into the upgrading of transport infrastructure.As we are about to conclude the second decade of facilitating and promoting transport and trade along our secure and reliable corridors our quest to ultimately achieve a robust and lucrative economy continues says the project manager of WBCGs logistics hub Clive Smith.Before the WBCG was formed all trade was routed via South Africa.There were no other connections to our neighbouring countries in terms of efficient flow of trade across borders. Our neighbours knowledge about Namibia was limited and so was Namibias knowledge about trading opportunities in southern Africa Smith says.Obvious opportunitiesThe Port of Walvis Bay is strategically located on the west coast of Africa and can serve as a strategic link to southern Africa with its more than 350 million consumers.Smith says with Walvis Bay now firmly established as one of the major entry and exit points to and from southern Africa the WBCG continuously seeks ways to take the corridors to greater heights and maximise the social and economic benefits for Namibia and the region.The WBCG has become one of the key organisations in the Namibian economy driving the agenda of the transport sector and expanding the role of the transport sector to the Namibian economy and its people. The success and experiences have been shared with other corridors and similar organisations at various platforms which in turn could enhance corridor development on the African continent Smith says.
