23 Aug 2020

President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi has expressed gratitude for  the contribution made by Germany to Botswana’s education sector, especially the Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) component.

 Saying goodbye to outgoing German ambassador Mr Ralf Breth on Friday, the President said TVET was key in the development of the country and would therefore be optimised. 

He noted that Botswana and Germany signed a TVET programme agreement in 2018 with P15m funding for its first phase, which elapsed in 2019.

Phase two of the agreement, funded to the tune of P12m, commenced in 2019/2020, the President said.

Botswana, Dr Masisi pointed out, had over the years enjoyed bilateral programmes and support from the German government in important areas such as energy, education, culture, tourism, environmental conservation, regional integration, skills and youth development.

The President said Botswana had also derived positive lessons from Germany as an important member of the European Union.

In addition, Dr Masisi  expressed delight for Germany’s religious representation in Botswana through the Lutheran Church. 

Since its establishment, the church had done remarkable work particularly in the health sector, he said. 

On Mr Breth’s personal contribution,  President Masisi said government recognised his engagement with the community during his tenure adding that Botswana remained indebted to him.  

For his part, Mr Breth said  not being a big donor anymore, Germany tried to use all  instruments at its disposal to achieve more. 

Among his achievements, he mentioned that during his tenure, Botswana held an inaugural investment promotion drive in Germany in 2019 with the objective of raising awareness on investment opportunities that the country offered. 

Mr Breth also said Botswana and Germany were at an advanced stage of finalising a proposed agreement on visa exemption for diplomatic, official and service biometric passport holders.

The two were also in negotiations for a double taxation avoidance agreement and had signed a  P213 189 000 (€15.5m) financing pact for phase three of the KAZA programme, he said. 

Mr Breth said SADC was on the agenda of his tour of duty saying Germany encouraged regional cooperation which was considered of paramount importance in Europe as exemplified by the existence of the European Union.Ends