26 May 2019

Governments of Botswana and China have signed letters of exchange for the P3.4 million Nata-Maun Road rehabilitation project feasibility study.

Speaking at the signing ceremony Friday, Minister of Finance and Economic Development Mr Kenneth Matambo, who signed on behalf of government, thanked the government of China for the grant, saying it was a contribution towards the realisation of Botswana’s development agenda.

“This study is funded fully by China.

It is not only a sign that we have a true friend in China, but also goes a long way in demonstrating that China still appreciates our need for development assistance in spite of our high middle income status,” he said.

Mr Matambo said the Nata-Maun Road, which is part of the North-South Corridor, was an economic project that would facilitate greater regional integration to access markets in the north, ‘thereby contributing to economic growth in the SADC region’.

Once completed, the project will unlock economic opportunities and enhance transport logistics for products destined for northern markets and agricultural produce from the Chobe region to markets in the southern part of the country, he said.

In addition, he said the road would support government’s efforts in facilitating citizen participation in the tourism industry as it connects to the tourist attraction areas in the north west.

“This, as you may remember, was emphasised by President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi in his last State-of-the Nation Address of 2018.

On this note, we cannot overemphasise the important role played by your government in the development of our country,” he said.

For his part, China’s ambassador to Botswana, Dr Zhao Yanbo, said the signing of the letters of exchange marked the start of the rehabilitation of the Nata-Maun road.

The signing, which constitutes an agreement between the two governments, was an outcome of the discussions between Botswana and China heads of state during the 3rd Forum on China-Africa Cooperation summit held in Beijing, China, last year.

“This demonstrates China’s staunch support for Botswana to promote its economic development, increase the jobs, especially for the youth and improve Botswana’s most needed infrastructure.

It is also a vivid reflection of the genuine friendship of our two countries and its part and parcel of all round fruitful relations between China and Botswana,” he said. ENDS