Galicia and Namibia show their interest in renewing the Memorandum of Understanding within a general framework project to be signed with the Kingdom of Spain
- The agreement would strengthen the relationship between the region and the African country in terms of research, cooperation and fisheries management, as well as the generation of added value
- Mr. Villares consolidates the historical collaboration between the two regions, which allowed the building of a station supplying fry to the aquaculture sector of the South African country, supported by the research action from CETMAR
- The regional representative continues with the goal of creating institutional and economic alliances as a driving force for the promotion of the Galician maritime-fishing sector
The Regional Department for Marine Issues and the Namibian Government show their interest in renewing the Memorandum of Understanding within a general framework project to be signed with the Kingdom of Spain. The agreement aims at keeping the collaboration in terms of research, cooperation and fisheries management.
Addressed by the head of the department, Alfonso Villares, and the deputy minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources of Namibia, Sylvia Makgone, it took place yesterday in a working meeting, during the presence of the Namibian leader at the Second Global Seafood Sustainability Forum, held in Vigo.
This agreement would strengthen bilateral cooperation and development in research and fisheries management, as well as the generation of added value. For this reason, Galicia Regional Government (Xunta) hopes that the Spanish Department will take effective and rapid steps to carry out the process.
CETMAR in the spotlight
Therefore, Mr. Villares management allows to consolidate a historical relationship between the two regions, which led to among other actions, the building of a station supplying fry to the aquaculture sector in the area. It also promoted various research projects to advance knowledge of sustainable commercial species and to evaluate ecosystem, with CETMAR in the spotlight.
This agreement would therefore contribute to further enhance the work of the Centre, which already made it possible the project with the Namibian National Marine Information and Research Centre (NatMIRC), focusing on the assessment of fishery resources, stock assessment and monitoring of fish stocks.
With this meeting, the regional representative continues the round of contacts with the heads of various international governments in which the Galician maritime-fishing sector has a significant impact. The objective is to create institutional and economic synergies with a driving force on the Galician economy and, consequently, to increase the competitiveness of the maritime-industry chain and strengthen its presence in the countries where fisheries is a heavyweight.
Regarding Namibia, where the primary sector accounts for 18.5% of GDP, fisheries accounts for 2.6%. Trade relations are precisely focused in this area, accounting for 90% of Spanish imports. In 2024, exports exceed 40 million Euros.
