Due to an influx of Chinese investors into the Southern Africa region, Standard Bank Namibia has appointed Annelie Cloete as Client Coverage Manager for Chinese clientèle within its Corporate and Investment Banking Department. This move is aimed at capturing a large chunk of the growing investments pouring in from China.

Africa has become a strong trading partner with China. The Asian giant surpassed the United States in 2009 as the continent’s biggest investor with $210 billion committed in 2013.

The Standard Bank Namibia, a subsidiary South Africa based Standard Group, says Cloete’s key responsibility is to define and execute strategic client plans aimed at capturing the Chinese community. “Annelie is tasked with ensuring that she develops strong business relationships while at the same time delivering profitable and integrated Standard Bank products and services to the said target market,” said Standard Bank in a statement.

A veteran investment banker, Cloete has been with Standard Bank Namibia for the past 25 years. Cloete previously served as a Credit Origination Manager, a Sales Support Manager within the bank.

In a tour of Africa’s top economies last year, Chinese Premier, Li Keqiang, announced plans to double bilateral trade with Africa to $400 billion yearly by 2020.

By George Mpofu