WINDHOEK, July 19 (Xinhua) -- The Namibian business community said here Friday that they want more engagement with potential Chinese investors, whose investment will boost the local economy and create more jobs.

It is logical and beneficial to attract more investment from the world's second largest economy, Parthiva Thaker, a managing member of Namibian company Shivali Investments and Consulting, told Xinhua during a forum themed "Investment Opportunities for Chinese Businesses in Namibia."

Noting that many Namibian businesses could not attend big Chinese forums overseas, Thaker welcomed similar platforms like Friday's forum on which local businesses have the opportunity to directly interact with potential Chinese investors.

"Some of our small private companies are raring to attract more Chinese tourists, but due to a lack of platforms to engage the Chinese investors face to face, we tend to have stunted growth," said David Endjala, a participant from the tourism and hospitality sector.

Endjala said his company is ready for Chinese investors and that he hopes his business could expand and branch out into other sectors like manufacturing, infrastructure and agriculture, to boost Namibia's economy.

Friday's forum has opened more links and business opportunities, said Leefa Munashimue, administrator of fishing company Uukumwe Youth Empowerment Consortium.

"Our company is looking for machinery for our fishing venture. We would like to process and pack and export our products as finished goods, which adds value and creates employment," Munashimue said.

"If we get the Chinese investors with their vast resources and expertise on board, they can assist the value chain in our sector," she added.

The business forum was co-hosted by Namibia's Ministry of Industrialization, Trade and SME Development, the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) and the Chinese Embassy in Windhoek.

The event was attended by a vast number of Namibian businesses which were engaged with a visiting Chinese delegation comprising 30 business people through presentations and discussions of possible avenues for investment. Enditem

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