Chinese business owners empower Namibians

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Chinese business owners empower Namibians

By Johanna Absalom and Gao Lei (Xinhua) 14:21, August 21, 2013

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Namibia has presented a competitive environment for growth for most Chinese-owned companies in the country. In return, the Chinese business owners are investing in empowering locals in efforts to achieve their full potential.

Great Wall International Enterprises, Guangda Mattress Manufacturing Trading, Great Wall Chemical Products Industry/Trade and First Wall Commercial Development Investment, Chinese-owned companies operating in Namibia, have joined forces to support Namibian people by sharing their investment proceeds.

In their recent bid, managing directors Ninguang Chang, Lizhen Chu, Stina Wu and Pan Guandgda, in addition to other Chinese business owners, donated tools and cash to the value of 160,000 Namibian dollars (16,000 U.S. dollars) to Okatana Agricultural Community Project and Oshikondiilongo Kindergarten in Namibia's northern region.

Speaking to Xinhua on behalf of the group on Monday, Stina Wu, the vice president of First Wall Commercial Development, said the support extended to the people of Namibia is aimed at enhancing good relations and friendship with the Namibian people.

"The Chinese business community in Namibia is dedicated to improving livelihoods of Namibian people, especially the under privileged to ensure they reach their full potential," said Stina, who is also the facilitator and coordinator of the resource to communities.

Chris Shivolo, business development advisor of First Wall Commercial Development, said the two beneficiaries are the latest of the various projects that have been supported since 1996, through the corporate social responsibility campaign.

The traders have been at the helm of empowering Namibians, especially in the rural areas for nearly 17 years now.

"We are responding to the plight of the people. Most community members work hard but may have inadequate resources to prosper. They also need something to fall back on. We saw the potential of these projects in improving livelihoods," according to Stina.

The precedent support of Chinese business owners to locals has been well received by the Namibian government.

In a letter addressed to the Chinese owned companies following their donation, Minister of Gender Equality and Child Welfare Rosalia Nghidinwa commended the Chinese business owners for their support and care towards the Namibian people.

The Chinese team works closely with the Ministry of Gender and Child Welfare and other ministries to ensure that the funds and resources are used for the intended purpose. "We also work closely with the wife of the Ambassador of China to Namibia to identify the potential beneficiaries," Stina said.

The exemplary initiative and efforts of the group have since gained momentum among the Chinese community in Namibia. Stina said the number of Chinese business owners willing to make a difference in Namibia has accelerated.

"More Chinese business owners in Namibia are willing to lend a helping hand to the broader Namibian community in efforts to uplift them and make a difference," said Stina.

"Besides the language barriers, misunderstandings about the Chinese people, certainly, there are also Chinese people who care about the people of Namibia. More Chinese people are willing to help. And we are dedicated to the plight of the people. We would like to see them prosper," she said.

In the meantime, Stina is calling upon the Chinese traders and broader Chinese population in Namibia to embrace the opportunities presented to them and further strengthen the Namibia-China friendship.