Govt budgets N$646m for foreign missions
• Millions to be spent on membership fees as well
The funds will also cater for the maintenance and construction of new facilities at diplomatic missions.
Government has budgeted N$646 million to fund the operations of the country’s diplomatic missions and consular posts across the world.
International relations and cooperation minister Dr Peya Mushelenga revealed the figure when he motivated the ministry’s proposed N$964 million budget.
According to him, the missions abroad programme receives the largest portion of the ministry’s budget – 67%, equivalent to about N$646.6 million.
The amount allocated under this programme continues to be affected by the volatility of the international financial market and fluctuations in the exchange rate, he said.
“The resources allocated for this programme will be used to improve the operations of the 31 Namibian diplomatic missions and four consular posts abroad, enabling them to contribute significantly to the country’s development.”
This allocation will fund crucial capital projects both at diplomatic missions abroad and at headquarters, as well as the completion of the Namibia International Women Peace Centre, he added.
“The ministry’s primary emphasis will be on renovation of properties to enhance efficiency and functionality.”
Mushelenga further said 80% of the ministry’s budget is susceptible to the impacts of exchange rate fluctuations.
Operational expenses
About 93% of the budget, equivalent to approximately N$894 million, is dedicated to operational expenses, driving five programmes of the ministry, Mushelenga said.
These programmes include the regional and bilateral relations and cooperation programme, for which a sum of N$19.9 million has been earmarked.
The minister said the funds set aside for this programme are aimed at advancing economic diplomacy by way of promoting investment, trade and tourism between Namibia and other countries on bilateral level.
Furthermore, a notable focus is placed on development cooperation partners, particularly on the enhancement of traditional south-south alliances, emphasising the importance of expanding collaboration in various areas such as industrialisation, trade, human resource development, technology sharing, cultural exchanges and tourism.
For the multilateral policy co-ordination programme, N$153 million has been allocated, of which 78% is dedicated to regional and international organisation membership fees.
Mushelenga said the remaining amount is set aside to facilitate Namibia’s active engagement in multilateral fora, to ensure that the country’s voice is heard and influences international discourse to its own benefit.
For the protocol and consular programme, N$17.2 million has been allocated.
These funds will be utilised to provide protocol services to the government, as appropriate, and deliver adequate services to the diplomatic corps while providing consular and welfare services to Namibian citizens abroad, the minister noted.
For coordination and support services, an amount of N$127.2 million has been allocated, with Mushelenga describing administration as “the driving force behind every institution”.
International relations and cooperation minister Dr Peya Mushelenga revealed the figure when he motivated the ministry’s proposed N$964 million budget.
According to him, the missions abroad programme receives the largest portion of the ministry’s budget – 67%, equivalent to about N$646.6 million.
The amount allocated under this programme continues to be affected by the volatility of the international financial market and fluctuations in the exchange rate, he said.
“The resources allocated for this programme will be used to improve the operations of the 31 Namibian diplomatic missions and four consular posts abroad, enabling them to contribute significantly to the country’s development.”
This allocation will fund crucial capital projects both at diplomatic missions abroad and at headquarters, as well as the completion of the Namibia International Women Peace Centre, he added.
“The ministry’s primary emphasis will be on renovation of properties to enhance efficiency and functionality.”
Mushelenga further said 80% of the ministry’s budget is susceptible to the impacts of exchange rate fluctuations.
Operational expenses
About 93% of the budget, equivalent to approximately N$894 million, is dedicated to operational expenses, driving five programmes of the ministry, Mushelenga said.
These programmes include the regional and bilateral relations and cooperation programme, for which a sum of N$19.9 million has been earmarked.
The minister said the funds set aside for this programme are aimed at advancing economic diplomacy by way of promoting investment, trade and tourism between Namibia and other countries on bilateral level.
Furthermore, a notable focus is placed on development cooperation partners, particularly on the enhancement of traditional south-south alliances, emphasising the importance of expanding collaboration in various areas such as industrialisation, trade, human resource development, technology sharing, cultural exchanges and tourism.
For the multilateral policy co-ordination programme, N$153 million has been allocated, of which 78% is dedicated to regional and international organisation membership fees.
Mushelenga said the remaining amount is set aside to facilitate Namibia’s active engagement in multilateral fora, to ensure that the country’s voice is heard and influences international discourse to its own benefit.
For the protocol and consular programme, N$17.2 million has been allocated.
These funds will be utilised to provide protocol services to the government, as appropriate, and deliver adequate services to the diplomatic corps while providing consular and welfare services to Namibian citizens abroad, the minister noted.
For coordination and support services, an amount of N$127.2 million has been allocated, with Mushelenga describing administration as “the driving force behind every institution”.
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