30 Mar 2016

 

Ambassadors from Cote D’Ivoire and Guinea as well as Jamaica High Commissioner presented their letters of credence to President Lt Gen. Dr Seretse Khama Ian Khama in Gaborone on Tuesday March 30.  

Speaking in an interview, Cote D’Ivoire ambassador, Mr Amos Djadan, said he was looking forward to strengthening cooperation between the two countries since he was the first to represent his country in Botswana. 

He said although Botswana and Cote D’Ivoire never had diplomatic relations, the two countries could cooperate in different sectors such as agriculture, infrastructure, education and economic activities. 

Mr Djadan said his country was still rebuilding, therefore he invited Botswana companies to invest in Cote D’Ivoire to help develop the economy. 

Ambassador Mamadi Camara  of Guinea said his role was to strengthen the relationship between the two countries especially in mining. 

He said Botswana had done well in the mining sector, adding that this was something his country could learn. 

High Commissioner Cheryl Spencer said Botswana and Jamaica have had diplomatic relations for 34 years. 

She said the two had been cooperating at multilateral levels as members of African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Group of States as well as the World Trade Organisation (WTO). 

At bilateral level, the two countries have a joint cooperation, which covered human resource development. 

Ms Spencer said about 40 Batswana had attended medical school in her country with others opting to remain there while several Jamaican professionals also lived in Botswana. 

She said the joint cooperation was also based on intellectual property, agriculture, mining adding the Jamaicans admired Botswana’s basket weaving. ENDS