Chinese Government provides RMB 43 million grant - through December 2002 ETCA - for Presidential Palace Construction Project (Linked to records #61299 and #73237)

Project narrative

In December 2002, the Chinese Government and the Government of Namibia signed an Economic and Technical Cooperation Agreement (ETCA), which committed a 55 million NAD interest-free loan and an RMB 43 million grant for the Presidential Palace Construction Project. Under Secretary of Works in the Ministry of Works, Transport, and Communication, Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Dr. Kaire Mbuende signed the agreement with his Chinese counterpart, Qiao Zonghua. Record ID#61299 captures the interest-free loan and this project captures the grant. The Presidential Palace Construction Project involved the construction of a new State House in the Auasblick suburb outside of Windhoek. Qingdao Construction Group Corporation and Shenyang Northeast Engineering Construction Development Company were the contractors responsible for building and supervising the presidential residence building on the estate. The North Korean firm Mansudae Overseas Group was reportedly also involved in the construction process. A construction contract was signed on June 20, 2007. Construction then began on November 14, 2007. On November 19, 2007, a formal groundbreaking ceremony took place. The project was officially completed and handed over to the Namibian authorities on July 13, 2010. This project was plagued by accusations of corruption and inflated prices due to the selection of Chinese firms without public tender.