The launch of negotiations between the EU and SADC countries for an economic partnership (EPA) will commence on Monday. The four-day long talks will first be led by ministerial officials and end on 8 July when EU commissioners and ministers meet in Windhoek. The Cotonou agreement replaced the Lomé Convention a few years ago and it prescribed for EPA negotiations to commence in 2002. The first phase of these talks took place at the level of all African, Caribbean, and Pacific (ACP) countries. Phase Two started in September 2003 and now continue on SADC level in Windhoek.

Dr Abraham Iyambo will visit Walvis Bay and Swakopmund on Friday to look at aquaculture projects like oyster farming, abalone and other aquaculture projects. Friday morning the Minister will look at fish meal plants in Walvis Bay, visit Beira Aquaculture, the salt refinery and an aquaculture project at Pelican point, before he travels to Swakopmund. There he will look at the oyster farm of Mr Jürgen Klein, the future site at Mile Four for the abalone (perlemoen) project and the Slabbert oyster farm. This week Minister Iyambo tabled the strategic plan for aquaculture in Namibia in the National Assembly. According to the minister, both marine and freshwater aquaculture has a big future in Namibia. Globally, trends are shifting from wild fish catching to aquaculture or fish farming, because of dwindling fish resources worldwide.

A four-day long show and expo on agriculture, small industry, and crafts started on Thursday at Katima Mulilo in the Caprivi Region. About 50 exhibitors from Namibia, Zambia and as far a way as South Africa put up their stalls in a large hall in the Export Processing Zone. It is due to be officially opened on Saturday by trade and industry minister Jesaya Nyamu. According to the chief organiser, Alta Visagie, the show is to take place every year from now on and will expand every time. Diplomats from Zambia and Botswana are also expected to visit the show. Entertainment like a merry go round is also available, definitely a first for the Caprivi Region. With the new Sesheke Bridge opened in May, many visitors from Zambia are expected.