10 Oct 2018

Botswana is in negotiations with the Indian Diamond Institute to set up a training facility at Oodi College of Arts and Technology (OOCAT), says Minister of Mineral Resources, Green Technology and Energy Security, Mr Eric Molale.

He said he hoped both parties would conclude negotiations soon.

Mr Molale was speaking at the celebration of Gujarat Day in Gaborone on Monday. He said to achieve the pillar of the national vision there was need for partnerships and collaborations with the international community, and that there was a lot that Botswana could learn from Gujarat and her success story.

He said Botswana’s diamond industry was dominated by the Gujarati community due to their culture of international trade.

He  noted that about 500 families of the Gujarati residing in Botswana had invested in the diamond and hospitality industries, in infrastructure development, trading and various Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).

“Like the Gujaratis of old, we are prepared to learn workmanship from our friends, and also in turn, impart skills to them,” he said.

The Indian High Commissioner to Botswana, Dr Rajesh Ranjan said the Gujarat State was classified as one of the leading industrialised states in India.

Dr Ranjan said the state housed several private companies, public enterprises, multi-national corporations, and was also the host of small and medium scale business in India as well as world class manufacturing facilities.

He added that Gujarat was one of the best places in India for the manufacturing of textiles, pharmaceuticals, agro-based and petrochemical products.

He said the significance of the day derived from a historical landmark where through an Act of Parliament, the state of Bombay was divided along linguistic lines to form the two states of Maharashtra and Gujarat.

Dr Ranjan  said Gujarat had been a hub of trade and commerce since 5000 years ago when the port of Lothal connected India to the world.

He added that driven by the entrepreneurial Gujarat spirit, the state today acted as the gateway to opportunities in India.

The ambassador noted that Gujarat recorded US$66.8 billion  worth of exports in 2017/18, contributing over 22 per cent to India’s net exports.

He also said the state was the world’s largest petroleum refining hub and the third largest producer of denim as well as the global leader in processed diamonds.

He said Gujarat had a huge agricultural industry and that it contributed significantly to the Indian agricultural output. He added that it had more than 10.7 million hectares of cropping area.

Dr Ranjan said the state was blessed with natural resources, fertile soils and an excellent river system as well as conducive climatic conditions and well-established markets.Ends