04 Sep 2018

Botswana looks forward to a thriving and successful relationship with China following the two countries’ business forum which was held in Beijing yesterday.

This was said by President Mokgweetsi Masisi when addressing forum delegates during a dinner hosted by the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry in the Chinese capital.

Mr Masisi said embarking on a state visit ahead of the Forum on China- Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) was meant to help them acclimatise.

“When we saw the world rush to China even those who are telling us not to come to China, we too decided that we are not going to be left behind,” he said.

The President said he had had fruitful deliberations with President Xi Jingping.

President Masisi said he informed his counterpart that Batswana were real business people ‘who are honest and ethical above board’ as they came from a country upholding the rule of law.

He said the agreement signed between Botswana and China on exemption for holders of diplomatic, official and service passports was meant to facilitate the ease of doing business with the Chinese as well as tourists.

He advised Batswana to learn the Chinese language in order to court Chinese investors as well as to make sound business deals in without the communication barrier.

In an interview, Business Botswana president Mr Gobusamang Keebine expressed delight at the success of the trip to China.

Mr Keebine said the 45 members of Business Botswana who attended the business forum had made good impressions on the Chinese.

Close contacts had been made with almost all important sectors in manufacturing and agro processing.

“I do not know how it happened but President Masisi has made a remarkable mark, he touched the right button and the button is working for us as the private sector, and we are hopeful,” he said

He said he was positive that in six months’ time they would have made progress worth reporting to Batswana about their mission to China. Ends