15 Apr 2018

President Mokgweetsi Masisi has been invited to officiate at this year’s Zambia Agricultural and Commercial Show.

The invitation was extended to him by President Edgar Lungu of Zambia on Thursday April 12, when he visited that country. President Masisi also visited Angola.

Speaking in an interview on arrival last week, President Masisi said he welcomed the invitation on account that it would serve to deepen the existing bilateral relations in trade and investment between the two countries.

President Masisi noted that the invitation was an opportunity to expose local businesses to Zambian markets hence improved commercial grounds for Botswana companies.

He stated that the visit to President Lungu was primarily to introduce himself and reassure him that he shall carry on from where his predecessors had left and continue to strive to nurture good working relations between Botswana and Zambia.

In Angola, President Masisi was welcomed by President João Lourenço who ascended to power six months ago.

The visit, he said, served to introduce himself and stimulate bilateral relations which Botswana had enjoyed with Angola over the years.

Mr Masisi highlighted that President Lourenço assured him that Angola would continue to uphold the agreement which governed the safety of the natural water resources particularly the Okavango River which streamed through Angola.

To further deepen ties between Botswana and Angola, Mr Lourenço was expected to visit Botswana to honour the invitation which was extended to him by former President Lt Gen. Dr Seretse Khama Ian Khama before he relinquished power.

On other issues ,he noted that it was important to continue to strengthen relations with Botswana’s neighbours, thus he shared with them Botswana’s successful power transition record which he said signified the ideals of a solid democratic dispensation.

President Masisi further said he shared Botswana’s democratic ethos where he canvassed the two leaders to continue to uphold the institution of democracy which he said yielded peace, security and stability for the people in the region.

Minister of International Affairs and Cooperation, Mr Vincent Seretse said the visit to the two countries had enabled President Masisi to touch base with his counterparts.

He said Botswana would continue to strive to forge solid bilateral relations and work with them in trade and investment including at regional and international organs such as SADC, AU and many other bodies.

President Masisi was also accompanied by Minister for Transport and Communications, Mr Kitso Mokaila, Minister for Mineral Resources, Green Technology and Energy Security, Mr Eric Molale, Member of Parliament for Nata/Gweta, Mr Polson Majaga as well as Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) secretary general, Mr Mpho Balopi.

On Friday, President Masisi also visited South Africa where he met South African President Mr Cyril Ramaphosa.

He was accompanied by the First Lady Neo Masisi, Minister of International Affairs and Cooperation, Mr Vincent Seretse and MP for Nkange, Mr Edwin Batshu and senior government officials. ENDS