07 Sep 2022

President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi yesterday received letters of credence from Trinidad and Tobago, Ghana, Israel and Thailand envoys. 

This brings to seven the total number of credentials received in two days following presentations by European Union, Greece and New Zealand envoys on Tuesday.

Receiving letters of credence  from Trinidad and Tobago’s Mr Lovell Francis, Dr Masisi said Botswana and the Caribbean state shared strong diplomatic relations premised in part on a similar colonial past. 

The two countries had therefore adopted and developed a common system of governance, said Dr Masisi.

He said relations between the two countries had remained cordial with years-old cooperation primarily in multilateral settings such as the UN, Organisation of Africa, Caribbean and Pacific States and the Africa Caribbean Pacific.

The two shared common values as members of such organisations, stated Dr Masisi.

President Masisi said Botswana and Trinidad and Tobago also had strong bilateral cooperation in the areas of education, tourism and  conservation among others.

The Trinidad and Tobago envoy, Mr Francis, informed President Masisi that Africa was the future which his country wanted to be a part of. His country, he said, planned to  invest in the development of Africa. 

With experience in the energy sector, Mr Francis said Trinidad and Tobago could share ideas on opportunities with Botswana.

 Stating that the advancement and promotion of cultural tourism was  integral to the Caribbean state, he promised  to facilitate cultural exchange between the two countries.

Mr Francis said there was a lot that Trinidad and Tobago could learn from Botswana.

On Ghana, President Masisi said as the first sub-Saharan country to gain independence, the precedence inspired other African countries, Botswana included, to seek liberation. 

Having a common former coloniser, Dr Masisi said Botswana sought inspiration from Ghana and the two shared public service reforms. 

Noting the long existing diplomatic relations between Botswana and Ghana, Dr Masisi called for their enhancement.

The President said the existence of a large Ghanaian community in Botswana called for mutuality and deep relations.

In his turn,  Mr Yakubu Alhassam expressed gratitude for the excellent multilateral cooperation between the two countries. He said Ghana needed to put more effort into the importation of beef and hides from Botswana. 

Mr Alhassam disclosed that Ghana was in the process of reassessing its economic agenda. 

He said the country believed that the Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement would set the pace for Ghana’s economic sectors. Welcoming Israel ambassador Ms Ofra Farhi, President Masisi said Israel had been pivotal in driving the growth of Botswana’s economy through specialised support in sectors such as mining, investment and water management.

He described Israel as a manifestation of excellence against challenges and a country with an undying commitment to prevail and succeed. President Masisi also said one of Israel’s strengths was in the use of advanced technology. 

With Botswana striving to transition to a knowledge based economy, Israel would be a valuable partner, said the President.

For her part, Ms Farhi said it was a well known historical fact that when the Israelites were faced with challenges,  they sought refuge in Africa. “We will do our all to pay back by sharing with you what we have,” she said. Stating that greatness could not be achieved without trials, Ms Farhi said Israel had to constantly   find solutions to the prevailing challenges.

“We are both located in areas dominated by desert, and therefore we must find solutions to challenges posed by the environment,” she said. Ms Farhi said Israel was able to prevail over challenges posed by the desert environment.

She said her country had strength in water management and therefore was open to sharing water conservation tips with Botswana.

Meanwhile, Mr Mungkorn Pratoomkaew, the Thailand ambassador revealed that his country’s economy was driven by tourism, manufacturing and exports. Responding, President Masisi noted Thailand’s prowess in the hospitality and tourism sectors and stated that the country was on that score a valuable partner.

Botswana aspired to become a conferencing hub therefore Thailand would be handy  for equipping Batswana to deliver world class service in the hospitality and culinary space, he said.  ends