14 Apr 2019

President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi left for Qatar this morning for a two-day state visit.

The state visit followed invitation from Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani. 

The two leaders will hold bilateral talks on issues of mutual interest aimed at deepening and expanding cooperation on areas of trade and investment, mining, education, agriculture and tourism. 

Botswana’s ambassador to Kuwait and the Gulf states, Mr Manyepedza Lesetedi, was quoted by The Gulf Times saying the Qataris were also interested in beef imports, hotels and Information Communication Technology (ICT).  

Ambassador Lesetedi also noted that expansion on areas of cooperation in the aviation sector would also feature amongst discussions between the two states, with specific reference to the existing code-sharing agreement between Air Botswana and Qatar Airways. 

Ahead of the state visit, Botswana Investment and Trade Centre in collaboration with the Botswana Embassy in Kuwait conducted an investment and trade promotion mission from April 10 to 12.

Permanent secretary inthe Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry, Ms Peggy Serame led the mission, which saw  Botswana businesses engaging one on one with their Qatari counterparts to explore possible areas of collaboration.    

This state visit followed existing engagements between the two states at ministerial level dating back to 2015 after a bilateral agreement was entered into by the two states.  BOPA