06 Aug 2013

The Minister for Presidential Affairs and Public Administration, Mr Mokgweetsi Masisi has said the Botswana Embassy in Zimbabwe is accredited to Malawi and Mauritius.

Responding to a question in Parliament on behalf of the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Mr Masisi said these countries were comparatively on the same state of economic development, just like Botswana.

He said accordingly, they were equally in pursuit of investment to advance their development goals, adding that while the promotion of investment was at the core of this ministry’s mandate; it was not easy to attract investors from these countries within any given financial year. The minister told MPs that it was vital to note that diplomatic representation encompassed more than investment promotion.

“For this reason, our collaboration with these countries is through enhanced bilateral cooperation in other spheres of human development. This means, political support, goodwill and mutual understanding, harmonization of policies, economic and trade opportunities and trade, especially in the agricultural industry.”

Minister Masisi said the Embassy in Zimbabwe remained seized with efforts of identifying prospective investors and linking them with relevant stakeholders in Botswana and the mission was instrumental in a number of initiatives, including the sale of live cattle, foot and mouth vaccines and soda ash to Zimbabwe.

He said the P500 million credit facility Botswana has availed to Zimbabwe will stimulate and support business activity between the two countries.

Regarding Mauritius, the minister said, the General Framework Agreement providing for among others, the establishment of a joint business council, is currently being negotiated and it would be constituted by members of the private sector from both countries. The Council, he added, would also oversee implementation of the agreement facilitating trade and economic cooperation in Agriculture, Education, Minerals and Energy, Financial Services, Health, ICT, Science and Technology, Trade, Investment and Tourism and health.

He emphasised that foreign policy and diplomacy should be seen as a vehicle through which Botswana’s existence as a sovereign state can be sustained. “Accordingly, the performance of our Missions should not only be measured in economic or tangible terms,” the minister said.

MP for Shoshong, Mr Phillip Makgalemele had wanted the minister to state the top three business opportunities with potential high yield identified by Botswana’s diplomatic mission in Zimbabwe on both inward and outward investment during the 2011/12 financial year. The MP also asked whether in terms of opportunities identified, are there any with high potential for rural area investment growth especially in the area of agriculture, tourism and manufacturing.  ENDS