13 Mar 2022

 Botswana’s participation at Expo 2020 Dubai will both expand and cement the scope of relations with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as the two countries continue to explore new areas of cooperation, President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi has said.
Officiating at Botswana National Day as part of the expo activities yesterday, he said the business linkages already established with the UAE carried the promise of enhancing ongoing value chain development initiatives, creating long lasting trade relations and investment flows between the two countries.
Expo 2020 Dubai, he said, was crucial as it did not only facilitate business interactions but also allowed for scoping of new Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) locations.
“In this regard, Botswana has benefitted immensely from the cultural experiences, social and economic exchanges with other countries, through cultural displays, music, art, presentations and collaborations inspired by the Expo 2020 Dubai theme,” he said.
The President said Botswana had purposely titled its participation theme, ‘Outpacing Progress through Smart Partnerships’, to demonstrate government’s resolve to strengthen international partnerships with the view to improving Batswana’s livelihoods.
“It therefore gives me great pleasure to inform this gathering that in Botswana we have aligned our National Vision 2036 to this global agenda, with the underlining principle of ‘Leaving No One Behind’,” he said.
He noted the last mile of the six-months exposition had given Botswana the opportunity to review achievements and gauge short and long-term social and economic benefits that the expo created for the country.
Dr Masisi stated that the partnerships established during the expo would be fully activated to unlock more areas of cooperation, enhance bilateral trade and strengthen business-to-business relations.
He said Botswana would remain at the global community’s disposal for their consideration of the country as the destination of choice, a place to visit, a place to live, a place to invest, trade and relate.
President Masisi further affirmed government’s commitment to reviewing and undertaking reforms to improve the ease of doing business and to cultivate a competitive business environment for the growth of local businesses as well as attract FDI.
 “One of our greatest milestones is the completion of the Kazungula Bridge, a clear testament of our commitment to stimulating intra-Africa trade and facilitating regional integration,” he stated.
The bridge, a joint project between Botswana and Zambia, has eased movement across the Chobe River and created access for Botswana and its neighbours to Africa’s potential market of 1.3 billion people.
Dubai’s Minister of Tolerance and Co-Existence, Mr Sheilk Al Nahyan said the 2020 Expo Dubai platform had been fruitful in expanding relations between the two countries.
He said Dubai would consider strengthening relations with Botswana in agro business, health and education among other areas. ENDS