03 Apr 2019

 Four envoys representing the United States, Netherlands, Thailand and Uruguay presented credentials to President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi in Gaborone on April 2. 

  All four emphasised the need to open the bilateral window wider in several sectors and strengthen cooperation between Botswana and each of them.

  US ambassador Mr Craig Cloud said his plan was to work on different mutually beneficial sectors such as tourism, health and business. 

He said though Botswana did not have  sufficient population to sustain big industries,  the country could be used as a spring board to access other markets in southern Africa.

Mr Cloud explained that the American model was to indigenize businesses as much as possible so that there would be transfer of skills and ideas. 

Netherlands envoy Mr Johannes Peters said sustainable development was one area in which the two countries were interested in.

In addition, Mr Peters pointed out that climate change was affecting both countries hence the need to work together as Netherlands had expertise in water related matters.

The Netherlands ambassador revealed that his country was open to exchanging experiences and knowledge with Botswana.

He said though Botswana no longer   qualified for international development aid from the Netherlands, there were still some programmes such as HIV/AIDS aid for southern African countries which Botswana benefited from.

For his part, Thailand envoy Mr Komate Kamalanavin pointed out that this year the two countries would be celebrating more than three decades of cordial relations.

Mr Kamalanavin said Botswana was a very important partner and expressed the belief that there was still room to expand relations.  The two, he said,  could share ideas on food security, technology and trade explaining that they were interested in working with the private sector.

Uruguay ambassador Dr Cesar Zavalla said the two countries would cooperate on political, cultural and agricultural matters. ends