With the implementation of Module 1 of the Modern Port Management course, Namibia joined the English-speaking network of the Programme. Ghana, Malaysia, Maldives, Indonesia and the United Republic of Tanzania are the other members of the network.
UNCTAD/TrainForTrade's Port Training Programme has been officially launched in Namibia. From 6-10 February 2012, middle-level managers from the Namibian port community participated in Module 1 of TrainForTrade's Modern Port Management course.
Speaking at the launching ceremony, Mr. Bisey Uirab, CEO of the Namibian Ports Authority, said that the course could not have come at a better time. He expressed his confidence that Namibia too would benefit from UNCTAD's long experience in providing technical assistance in the commercial aspects of shipping and port management, aimed at improving competitiveness in developing countries. Course participants learned about the evolution of the role of transport in international trade, the impact of international and regional agreements on port activities, and the most recent development of ship characteristics and shipping trends. Background: UNCTAD's Port Training Programme familiarizes participants with the role of transport and shipping in international trade, the impact of international and regional agreements on port activities, and strategies to plan sustainably for the future. It involves instruction over a two-year period, and includes writing a thesis that identifies a challenge within their respective ports and proposes concrete management solutions. Upon successful completion of the course, participants receive the Certificate in Modern Port Management. Senior managers from the participating ports are trained to serve as local instructors in order to ensure programme sustainability and local ownership. Begun in 1998 for French-speaking port communities in Africa, the Programme now operates through four language-based networks (English, French, Portuguese and Spanish) in Africa, Asia and Latin America.The TrainForTrade Programme is part of the Division on Technology and Logistics, UNCTAD.
