01 Mar 2020

The second session of Botswana-Zimbabwe Bi National Commission (BNC) is demonstration of the two countries' commitment to further strengthen bilateral relations.

Officially opening the session in Maun on Friday, President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi said the summit clearly showed how determined the two SADC countries were to further consolidate progress on the commitments they had made in an effort to improve the socio-economic livelihoods of the people.

He appreciated that the Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) and agreements signed were being implemented. The MoUs were in areas of mining, energy, science and technology, among others.

President Masisi also said they undertook to explore other areas of cooperation that had the potential to improve lives, citing critical areas such as health, tourism, labour and employment.

He noted that regular interaction with Zimbabwe through BNC had not only provided opportunity to strengthen the bilateral cooperation between the two countries, but also to exchange views on other issues of mutual interest and concern at the regional, continental and global levels.

He pointed out that the two countries were currently working together as chair and incoming chair of the SADC organ on politics, defence and security. He commended, Zimbabwe president Dr Emmerson Mnangagwa for his stewardship regarding the agenda of the SADC organ, particularly his sterling leadership in the coordination of the elections in Botswana, Mozambique, Mauritius and Namibia.

President Masisi noted with great satisfaction the discharge of his role as the head of SADC Election Observer Mission (SEOM) to Botswana’s general elections in October 2019.

He said the fruitful exchange between his representative, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Lt. Gen. Dr Sibusiso Moyo with various stakeholders in Botswana including the civil society and all the political parties were enriching. He appreciated the decision they made during the inaugural of BNC session to organise business fora on the margins of all the BNC sessions.

“We both agree that the private sector plays a critical role in the development of sustainable socio-economic programmes and projects which have direct impact on the lives of our peoples,” he added.

Furthermore, President Masisi appreciated that Zimbabwe delegation had come with a sizeable business team to the session and believed that their interactions with their counterparts in Botswana would yield significant business ventures.

Dr Mnangagwa, for his part, commended the growing strategic partnership between the two countries that spans the political, socio-economic as well as the military spheres.

The history of their cooperation, he said, was deeply rooted in their common political history, cultural affinities and family relations.

“We are equally bound by a common vision towards a shared future where our people enjoy a good quality of life and higher standard of living,” he said.

President Mnangagwa appreciated that the second session of the BNC was a sign of taking their partnership to another level, noting that the session was being held behind a backdrop of having commenced the ‘Decade of Action’ to accelerate the attainment of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Agenda 2063.

As the two countries engage and seek ways to increase investment and trade, he underscored the need to accelerate achievement of the multi-faceted development that leaves no one behind.

He stated that the growth in the trade volumes between the two countries should form the centerpiece of economic cooperation and as such called for speedy implementation of agreements signed so that they translate into meaningful projects that would benefit the communities.

President Mnangagwa pointed out the need to end poverty and hunger as well as create decent jobs for the people.

His government, he said, looked forward to the speedy conclusion of facilities that would catalyse cross border investments and trade among private sector players from the two countries. In addition, he said they must pursue avenues for cross border renewable energy project between the two countries, noting such would help in mitigating the impacts of climate change and augment the present energy deficit affecting the SADC region.

 

He said Zimbabwe stood ready to benefit from the wealth of knowledge Botswana had in the area of mining as they aimed to attain a US$12 billion mining sector by 2023 and urged responsible ministries and departments from both countries to expedite the cooperation in that sector. Another area to be looked into is agriculture and he invited Botswana to consider partnership in the growing of food and horticulture products. ENDS