31 May 2016

Four envoys presented letters of credence to President Lt Gen. Dr Seretse Khama Ian Khama at Office of President on May 30.
The envoys are from Singapore, Chile, Greece and Canada .

Speaking to press after meeting President Khama, the envoys pledged to strengthen bilateral relations and economic ties with Botswana.
Singapore High Commissioner, Mr Chua Thai-Keong, said he engaged President Khama about their new regional grouping called Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) that consisted of 10 countries.

“It is a second order regional grouping in the world with 600 million people and combined GDP of trillion dollars that is expected to grow at 4-5 per cent this year,” he said.

He said the ASEAN regional community was launched this year with a view to fast track and strengthen regional integration and identity as well as improve the standard of living of the ASEAN citizens. Chile ambassador, Mr Carlos Parker, said his country and Botswana shared similar opinions in international scenes.  

“Chile appreciates the quality of democracy in Botswana,” he said.

Mr Parker said his country was exploring possibilities of collaborating with Botswana in mining, agriculture and conservation of parks.
Mr Eleftherios Kouvaritakis of Greece said his country was grateful of the support it got from Botswana when the country was undergoing economic difficulties.

Canadian High Commissioner, Mr Kumar Gupta, said his country and Botswana’s friendship came from far.
He said Botswana was a major mining country which Canada could learn a lot from.

“I also briefed his Excellency about the new government and new developments in Canada,” he said. The three envoys would execute their duties from South Africa while the Canadian one would reside in Zimbabwe. Ends