26 Jun 2019

The Assistant Minister for Presidential Affairs, Governance and Public Administration, Mr Machana Shamukuni has commended Botswana and France for maintaining productive relationships over the years.

Speaking at the farewell reception for outgoing French ambassador to Botswana, Mr Pierre Voillery, Mr Shamukuni expressed gratitude to the government of France for its continued support and contribution to Botswana’s developmental agenda.

He said France continues to assist Botswana in critical areas of education and scientific research, arts and culture, agriculture and military.

He said the presence of French companies in Botswana has also contributed significantly towards Botswana’s economic diversification efforts.

“It would be recalled that France contributed to the establishment of the Botswana Vaccine Institute (BVI), through the French animal health company, a long standing partnership that has allowed Botswana to produce high quality animal vaccines for the domestic and international markets,” he said.
 

He said it is pleasing  to note that the two countries have existing Memorandum of Understanding for Academic Education, which allows Batswana lecturers to receive training in France and also provides scholarships to University of Botswana students to undertake exchanges in France.
 

Mr Shamukuni also applauded France’s efforts in the development of education and French language training, through Alliance Francaise, an institution which gives Batswana an opportunity to learn French locally and acquire internationally recognised qualification.

The cooperation between the Oodi College of Arts and the Paris School of Jewellery, he said could not go unnoticed as it was aimed at the transfer of knowledge and best practices, hence it would go a long way in addressing Botswana’s dream of achieving economic diversification, beneficiation and expansion of the diamond value chain.

The Assistant Minister further commended Mr Voillery for the instrumental role he played in strengthening and deepening the relations between the two countries during his tenure.

For his part,  Mr Voillery  also applauded the outstanding relations between the two countries.

He said he was hopeful that Batswana will render the incoming ambassador the same support presented to him, which all made execution of his duties a lot easier, therefore benefiting citizens of both countries. ENDS