28 Aug 2014

Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MFAIC), Mr Phandu Skelemani and the Chinese ambassador, on August 26, signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) for the donation of video conference equipment.

Speaking during a short ceremony at the ministry’s headquarters, Minister Skelemani said the donation came under the Technical and Economic Cooperation Agreement signed between the two countries in December 2009, through which Botswana has benefitted tremendously from the Chinese government.

The elated Mr Skelemani noted that since time is a precious commodity, with the video conferencing technology, the ministry will be able to save not only time, but financial resources as well, as the need to travel will be reduced significantly.

Mr Skelemani, who hailed the true friendship which has long exited between the two countries as far as 1975, noted that he was fully aware of a number of development assistance projects still in the pipeline in the areas of education, agriculture and health among others.

He however said he was looking forward to the implementation of these projects as they will go a long way in improving the living standards of Batswana. Some of these projects include the building of primary schools, development of an agricultural demonstration farm, production of animal feed, and establishment of Centres of Excellence in the health facilities.

“In April 2013, we received a donation of medical equipment from Chongqing Jinshan International Group for the Endoscopic Unit at Princess Marina Hospital for gastroenterology.
I am informed that the company will also train hospital staff on the use of the equipment, for which we are grateful,” he said.

Furthermore, Minister Skelemani recalled that the Chinese Embassy continues to make strides in assisting primary schools in Botswana through adoption and donation of computers, photocopiers, books, sportswear and other accessories under the Ministry of Education and Skills Development’s adopt a School Initiative.

Just this week, at least 23 Batswana were undergoing induction at the Chinese Embassy in preparation for their studies in China under the annual scholarship programme provided by China since the 1980s.

According to Mr Skelemani, the assistance bears testimony to the strong bonds of friendship and cooperation that subsist between the two countries. Nonetheless he noted that affirmed that they will continue to explore ways and means through which they can fast-track implementation of other projects that have been identified thus far for the mutual benefit of the two countries.

For his part, Chinese Ambassador, Mr Zhuqiang stressed that China is one of Botswana’s strongest development partners, noting that they have already provided many batches of economic and technical assistance to Botswana for the past many years in the form of grant, interest-free loan and concessional loan.

The assistance, he said, has been used to renovate and upgrade railways, to construct roads, to build residential houses and primary schools.

He is happy that these projects have contributed to the economic and social development of Botswana.

Meanwhile, he said according to the agreement signed on Tuesday, Chinese government will provide a batch of video conference equipment which will be used in the improvement of communication condition and working efficiency of the ministry.

Ambassador Zhuqiang however said he hoped Botswana side could work closely with the Chinese Embassy in project execution to ensure timely implementation of the advanced video conference equipment.

In the meantime, two months ago, Chinese Embassy invited 18 senior officials from related ministries in Botswana to attend “seminar for China-aid projects managers’ in Beijing from June 18 to July 01, 2014 with the purpose of further promoting mutual understanding during the implementation of China aid programmes. ENDS