Windhoek, Namibia - Yesterday president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva arrived in Namibia, his next-to-last stop on his Africa trip. Namibia, one of the world's poorest countries, with a GDP of US$3 billion, has had total bilateral trade with Brazil of US$7 million this year. Interestingly, Mozambique, with a smaller GDP, had four times as much trade with Brazil. So, there is room for more commerce with Namibia and that is one of the main objectives of the Lula visit. Among the group of businessmen accompanying Lula are some from the shipbuilding industry who will look into opportunities in their sector in Namibia.

Speaking of ships, during the visit Brazil will announce the donation of a corvette, the Purus, to the Namibian navy.

There will also be talks on cooperation in agriculture and healthcare. With regard to sexually transmitted diseases, especially AIDS and antireroviral drugs, Brazil will begin the same program it is running with Mozambique: 100 AIDS patients will get Brazilian drugs and assistance. UN data shows that 20% of the population of Namibia has AIDS.

Besides AIDS, another plague affecting Namibia is a land ownership system inherited from colonial times. Brazil will share its experience with land reform, property rights and settlements.

Brazil will also provide assistance in dealing with urban problems, such as low-cost housing projects which can contribute to urban development. (AB)