SA president Thabo Mbeki and a delegation completed the 7th economic bilateral commission with Namibia on Tuesday at the new State House in Namibia, announced the presidency.

The SA delegation, including the president, various ministers and senior governmental officials, held the commission to consolidate bilateral political, economic and trade relations with Namibia.

President Mbeki held discussions with Namibian President Hifikepunye Pohamba about the progress of strategic projects between the two countries.

The outcomes of a Namibian investment conference that took place last year was discussed.

It was also agreed that the role of Southern African Customs Union would be strengthened on broad matters of collaboration on regional economic integration.

The commission also noted the development of a policy framework designed to regulate the utilisation of the Orange River, when it came to energy issues.

Environmental discussions also took place where growing tourist interest since the opening of the Mata-Mata and Sendelingsdrift Tourist Access Facilities Border posts was noted.

Co-operation between the two countries on hosting cross border tour operations was also endorsed.

The two countries discussed their co-operation on the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) project.

Both SA and Namibia emphasized how important it was to ensure low radio frequency at the telescope core site in the Northern Cape.

The two countries also agreed to continue to co-operate in capacity building around astronomy and astrophysics.

President Mbeki and Pohamba both also attended the official unveiling of the Namibia Central Hospital Cardiac Unit in Windhoek.

The SA government played a significant role in this project from the beginning.

The SA delegation are to return to the country later on Tuesday.