10 Nov 2017

President Lt Gen. Dr Seretse Khama Ian Khama has received letters of credence from new ambassadors of Vietnam and Japan to Botswana, Mr Vu Van Dzung and Mr Kozo Takeda respectively.

In an interview after presenting the credentials to President Khama on November 9, Mr Dzung said Botswana and Vietnam established diplomatic relations in 2009 and had enjoyed long partnership and cooperation since then.

The bilateral trade volume, Mr Dzung said was also about US$ 30 million.

However, he said the volumes were expected to be more for the benefit of both countries.

“Vietnam exports more to Botswana than Botswana exports to Vietnam. But now we have received some request from Vietnam business people who want to import beef from Botswana,” he said.

With a population of 95 million, the Vietnam ambassador said there was a huge market for beef in Vietnam.

Further, Mr Dzung said Vietnam and Botswana also had good cooperation in international arena.

“And I have just made a request to the President that  Botswana should support Vietnam candidature or nomination to be the non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council and he agreed to support Vietnam’s candidature and I thank him very much,” he added.

Back in the 1980s, the Vietnam ambassador said his  country exported goods  to African countries in the Central and North to help them in agriculture and education sectors.

Therefore, to further strengthen the relations between the two countries, he said Vietnam had experts in Information Technology and hoped the two countries could  cooperate in the field to develop Botswana’s ICT sector.

For his part, Mr Takeda said he was ‘honoured’ to have been appointed to represent his country in  Botswana.

“I intend to put forth most effort to undertake active dialogues and interaction between the two countries to deepen our relations,” he said.

He also added that he was looking forward to learning more about Botswana and its people ‘in order to appreciate profound culture, tradition and history of your country.’

Japan, Mr Takeda said was committed to continue supporting Botswana’s effort to diversify its economy.

He also reiterated Japan’s commitment towards the development of Botswana and the SADC region.

“Based on the wonderful existing relationship between the two countries, I believe it is my utmost task, as the Ambassador of Japan to Botswana, to make every effort to further enhance our two countries’ bilateral collaboration including the promotion of trade investment and tourism as well as exchange of culture,” said Mr Takeda.

Botswana and Japan, he said shared fundamental values and common interests, such as democracy, rule of law and good governance.

Therefore, he emphasised the importance of the mutual support and understanding between the two countries in the international arena as well. ENDS