13 Mar 2022

Specially Elected MP, Ms Philda Kereng has encouraged government to use foreign diplomatic missions to market Botswana opportunities abroad.
Debating the 2022/2023 financial year budget estimates for the Ministry of International Affairs and Cooperation on Thursday, Ms Kereng thus called for more resources to be allocated to foreign diplomatic missions for purposes of marketing the country.

She said although foreign missions had tried to play their role in that regard, they were limited by shortage of resources. She further said that there should be a plan to have embassies work with Batswana in the diaspora to market the country.

Jwaneng/Mabutsane MP, Mr Mephato Reatile urged the international affairs and cooperation ministry to develop a practice of sharing the country’s position on international issues with the public.  “Batswana should know the country’s position on various international issues in order to understand how events in the far east, west and those in Africa or in the middle east have an effect on us,” Mr Reatile said.

The legislator said the country’s foreign policy seemed to be known only by cabinet and the ministry, with MPs in the dark about it. He said every leader should know the common position of the country regarding international affairs.

Lobatse MP, Dr Thapelo Matsheka proposed for robustness of trade investment attraction in the envisaged foreign policy document.

Okavango MP, Mr Kenny Kapinga called for harmony between the domestic policies and international relations with other countries. Mr Kapinga said some of the domestic policies especially that on immigration, seemed to contradict the country’s international posture of being welcoming to foreign nationals.

Sefhare/Ramokgonami MP, Dr Kesitegile Gobotswang criticised government for ‘wasting resources’ through frequent international trips by President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi and his Cabinet.

Dr Gobotswang argued that some of the trips were not of benefit to the economy since there were no economic deals or agreements signed after such international trips.

Responding to some of the MPs comments, Minister of International Affairs and Cooperation, Dr Lemogang Kwape said international trips by President Masisi and Cabinet ministers had benefitted the country.  Dr Kwape said some infrastructural development projects were constructed through international financing as a result of those trips.

The minister added that Botswana was removed from international grey listed countries after efforts by the President and ministers. He further said government had from time to time communicated its position on international issues.

Meanwhile, Parliament approved the ministry’s proposed budget of over P646 million (P646,031,510), out of which the recurrent expenditure constitutes over P575 million (P575,331,510) and P70.7 million to cover development expenditure. BOPA