23 Aug 2020

Botswana’s valuable partnership with Germany continues to contribute immensely to the development agenda, says Minister of International Affairs and Cooperation Dr Unity Dow.

Speaking at a farewell luncheon for outgoing German ambassador Mr Ralf Breth recently, Dr Dow said Germany remained a valuable developmental partner to Botswana, mostly in the skills development sector.

She said during Mr Breth’s tenure, the two countries signed an agreement on implementation of Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET)  programme in 2018 with the first phase funded to the tune of P15 million while the second, which commenced in the 2019/20 financial year,  received P12 million.

Dr Dow said the contribution made by Mr Breth towards addressing the skills mismatch, youth employment, skills diversification and building of knowledge-based Botswana had not gone unnoticed.

The minister noted that Botswana held its inaugural investment promotion drive in Germany last September which she said achieved its objective of raising awareness on investment opportunities in the country.

Its success was evident in the traction gained from interactions and tangible results from Mr Breth’s contribution, Dr Dow said. 

Regionally, she said Mr Breth’s contribution to integration in southern Africa was highly commendable.

Botswana was also deeply appreciative of the role German organisations such as Friedrich-Ebert Stiftung and GIZ played in the regional integration agenda, she said.

Dr Dow said the organisations’ support in diverse areas such as good governance, trans-boundary water management, climate change and strengthening of regional linkages would go a long way in building a stronger SADC bloc.

On multilateral cooperation, she said Germany had contributed immensely to Botswana’s development.

Being a dedicated member of the European Union, Dr Dow said, Germany had shown commitment to strengthening friendship and partnership between Botswana and EU.

In his remarks, Mr Breth thanked Botswana government for smooth and good working relations which he said made his three-year stay comfortable.

Pledging to continue supporting Botswana, Mr Breth said completion of his service in the country did not mean he would desert it.

He called on Batswana to continue with their custom of being hospitable to all nations as that would grow the tourism sector. Ends