28 Jun 2016

Botswana and Kenya have signed a Memorundum of Understanding (MoU) on integrated water resource management and tourism sector.

The signing ceremony took place at Office of the President in Gaborone on June 27 following bilateral talks between President Lt Gen. Dr Seretse Khama Ian Khama and his Kenyan counterpart, President Uhuru Kenyatta.

Their talks focused on how to further strengthen the existing cordial relations between their two countries.

Minister of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism, Mr Tshekedi Khama and minerals, energy and water resources minister, Mr Kitso Mokaila appended their signatures to seal the deal with Kenya’s foreign affairs minister, Ambassador Amina Mohamed.

President Kenyatta said, through these MoUs, the two countries would be able to share experiences and continue growing their bilateral relations from strength to strength.

For example, he said, the tourism sector, especially wildlife and protection of wildlife, was one key area where the two nations could learn from one another.

“You have done extremely well, especially in conservation, on your side. I am personally keen and very interested to see how we can further cooperate, especially in the issue of illicit trade in wildlife trophies,” he added.

This, he said was something that the two countries could work and partner together in, and see how best they could pull their neighbours and partners in this particular endeavour to meet some of the challenges they were having.

“That is another area where I strongly believe there is good reason to partner,” he said.

Furthermore, President Kenyatta said Botswana's mining sector was yet another area where Kenya could bench mark from.

Kenya’s mining industry, he said, was a sector which previously was non-existent, but became more and more relevant with each each passing day.

“So, I think we can learn quite a bit from yourselves, both in terms of the legislation and framework for exploiting these mineral resources,” added President Kenyatta.

President Kenyatta arrived in Botswana on Monday for a three day state visit and is expected to leave for Kenya today. Ends