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NAMIBIA SEEKS FUNDS FOR DRUG PLANT

September 27, 2005

Namibia could become the latest African country to build a drug manufacturing plant with international help. The government is planning to raise NAD80mn (US$12.56mn) for a new plant to be built by local drugmaker Medalutu Pharmaceutical, which has links to the Namibia's ruling political party.

Officials have reportedly begun seeking funds for the project from potential investors in Malaysia and Brazil. Namibia has also recently stressed its "renewed commitment" to a deal signed with Cuba last year on bilateral co-operation in pharmaceuticals.

Namibia is eager to increase local drug production in order to ease reliance on expensive foreign drugs -- especially ARVs. A senior Namibian official recently urged the South African Development Community (SADC) to declare HIV/AIDS a "natural disaster" and has called for a "regional approach" to combating the epidemic.