13 Mar 2018

Ministry of International Affairs and Cooperation has made strides in advancing Botswana’s national interests at the bilateral, regional and multilateral platforms.

Presenting the ministry’s budget proposals for 2018/19, Minister Dr Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi said in the period under review, a number of bilateral agreements aimed at strengthening and deepening both bilateral and business relations between Botswana and partner countries were signed.

She said the State visit to Namibia culminated in the signing of a Boundary Treaty between Namibia and Botswana as a landmark achievement in terms of fulfilling international obligations on reaffirmation of boundaries.

She said a broad range of developmental issues geared towards the advancement of regional integration agenda were also supported at the 37th SADC Ordinary Summit in Pretoria, South Africa.

Dr Venson-Moitoi further noted that the ministry was satisfied with the efficacy of the bilateral cooperation frameworks signed with other countries as they serve to enhance cooperation with strategic partners.

“It should be recalled that Botswana has functional Joint Permanent Commissions (JPCC) on Cooperation and Joint Permanent Commissions on Defence and Security Cooperation with some countries in Southern Africa region and further afield on the continent,” she said.

Dr Venson-Moitoi said the promotion of regional integration remained the cornerstone of Botswana’s foreign policy and it was for this reason that the country remained actively engaged in collective efforts to advance regional integration agenda and consolidation of democracy, peace and stability in the region.

“We will therefore continue to work with other SADC member states to promote the common values and shared aspirations for the prosperity of our sub-region,” she said.

Thus, she said Botswana would continue to support regional efforts geared towards restoring peace and security in the SADC region.

 Presenting budget proposal of over P736 million for the year 2018/19, Dr Venson-Moitoi said P544 017 750 was for recurrent budget while P192 million was for development budget.

From the development budget, P52 million would cover the construction of the chancery and officers’ apartments in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, as well as payment of architect oversight consultancies services.

She said P5 million was allocated for the chancery refurbishment and completion of renovation of three residential properties in Washington D.C.

The minister told Parliament that a total of P5.1 million and P4.2 million was earmarked for major maintenance work for residential properties and office building at the Botswana High Commission in Zimbabwe and Botswana High Commission in Pretoria respectively.

Dr Venson-Moitoi said the ministry continued to pay hefty bills in countries where Botswana have no property, adding that property acquisition therefore remained a priority in order to curb the estate expenditure.

Thus, she said a total of P17.1 million was requested to finalise payment for the procurement of chancery office building in Nairobi, Kenya.

She further said about P56 million was requested for property procurement in Tokyo, Japan, while P20 million would also be used towards procurement of property in New Delhi, India and that P30 million was for opening a new diplomatic mission in France.

Under recurrent budget, the minister stated that P255 653 921 would go towards personal emoluments, while P288 363 829 would cover general expenses and supplies, travel and transportation costs, property and rental, replacement of vehicles, amongst others.

Reflecting and approving the budget proposals, legislators commended the stance the ministry took on property acquisition to curb hefty bills.

MP for Nata-Gweta, Mr Polson Majaga said the ministry budget was not enough, owing to the mammoth task the ministry was faced with, to promote Botswana’s interests abroad.

He further called on the ministry to continue advocating for relief funds through its embassies abroad to assist the country in trying times such as national disasters.

MP for Kanye South, Mr Abram Kesupile called for strengthening of border security with South Africa, noting that as much as Batswana traded a lot with South Africa, Batswana feared for their lives.

MP for Francistown East, Mr Buti Billy spoke against work permit restrictions on foreigners, which he said was costing the country huge sums of money. For example, he said lots of money was spent on transporting illegal Zimbabweans back home, who had migrated into Botswana for greener pastures.

He further said the country should work towards improving issues of governance and that all ministries should play a meaningful role in profiling and promoting the country’s tourism farther afield.

MP Billy commended President Lt Gen. Dr Seretse Khama Ian Khama for the active role he played in the regional peace and security agenda.

The Specially Elected MP, Mr Mephato Reatile said it was disturbing that Botswana was the only vocal country with regards to issues geared towards advancement of international peace and security, adding that SADC should play an active role rather than Botswana being labelled a loner.

Specially Elected MP, Ms Bogolo Kenewendo questioned the true benefits and opportunities in organisations that Botswana was a member of.

Ms Kenewendo noted that investment and trade promotion was not fully articulated in the budget proposals, wondering why there were only a few offices looking at trade and promotion and what opportunities lie in partnering with Botswana Investment and Trade Centre to ensure that there was benefit from economic diplomacy. ENDS