26 Aug 2018

President Mokgweetsi Masisi says engagements between him and envoys assists in fostering friendly relations with other countries and advancing Botswana’s national interests abroad.

The President explained this during a briefing session in Gaborone recently with foreign diplomats accredited to Botswana as well as the country’s envoys abroad.

He said the engagements provided an opportunity for dialogue on Botswana’s latest developments and challenges as well as the country’s foreign policy position on regional, continental and global issues of concern.

He informed the envoys that Botswana was grappling with a range of challenges such as unemployment, poverty, crime, alcohol and drug abuse, HIV and AIDS as well as sluggish economic growth and that government had taken bold decisions to combat them.

“Our goal to eradicate poverty and create employment, especially for the youth is of paramount importance, hence my government will seek innovative ways to enhance the various social and economic empowerment programmes such as poverty eradication, youth development fund, women economic empowerment, livestock management and infrastructure development to ensure that these programmes deliver on their mandate,” said President Masisi.

He disclosed that government was on the verge of completing legislative frameworks to increase the ease of doing business in Botswana and was also working on initiatives to make the country a destination of choice.

“It is my sincere hope that through our dialogue, we will be able to unlock creative solutions that can improve the collaboration between Botswana and your respective countries and international organisations for the benefit of our nations and people,” he said.

President Masisi said his administration would endeavour to take friendship with other countries to greater heights adding the quest to nurture the relationships was the reason he visited neighbouring countries shortly after assuming the presidency.

“I have also committed myself to vigorously engaging with members of the international community by among others participating at forums which promote the fundamental principles of democracy, good governance, environmental issues, wildlife and conservation, trade investment and climate change,” the President said.

Botswana, he said, would continue to play an active role in international bodies such as SADC, African Union and the United Nations.ENDS