23 Aug 2022

Botswana will not rest until it is the sole candidate in the race to host the Kimberly Process secretariat, President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi has vowed.

He told outgoing EU ambassador Mr Jan Sadek yesterday that Botswana was grateful the European bloc shared Botswana’s objective of being the only bidder. 

Dr Masisi expressed gratitude to EU member states, especially Austria, for supporting Botswana’s secretariat bid. 

The President said Botswana was willing to explore expanding its partnership with the EU through raw materials.

However, the raw materials found in Botswana should be transformed and processed into goods locally, said Dr Masisi. 

That, he said, would create employment for the youth and other opportunities Botswana’s youthful population was in need of as well as add to skills experience.

President Masisi informed Mr Sadek that Botswana was keen on improving citizen participation in agro-tourism, especially in the Ghanzi and Chobe areas. 

He noted that if sidelined, Batswana were bound to become disgruntled, which might negatively affect the country’s tourism industry.

   On the Russia/Ukraine war,  Dr Masisi said Botswana remained resolute that dialogue was the only way to conflict resolution.

 About Mr Sadek, whose diplomatic tour of duty in Botswana has come to an end, Dr Masisi said the outgoing ambassador  had maintained the EU foreign policy position to safeguard Botswana/EU interests.

He commended Mr Sadek for a sterling performance during his four-year tenure.

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For his part, Mr Sadek, who had paid a valedictory call on President Masisi Mr Sadek said the EU was willing to work with Botswana on its exploration and use of renewable energy, agro-tourism and digitisation. 

Revealing that the EU wanted to focus more on renewable energy, he said there was need for research and investment in solar energy given its abundance in Botswana.

 Mr Sadek applauded the recent partnership between BITRI and a Canadian company in the production of graphite and manganese used in battery production.

 The development was also important for employment creation and growing the economy, he said. 

Mr Sadek also noted Botswana’s keen interest in digitisation which he said was also a focus for the EU.

Pointing out that Botswana had many good attributes, he advised the country to expand its sales pitch. 

He applauded Botswana for its commitment to the rule of law, stable democracy, free media, respect for human rights and good use of natural resources.

Botswana and the EU have long-standing economic and trade relations with the bloc being Botswana’s second-largest trading partner after South Africa. 

The EU Gaborone office was established in 1981. BOPA