26 Mar 2023

Minister of Finance and Budget, Housing and Immovable Heritage of the government of Flanders, Mr Matthias Diependaele arrived yesterday in Botswana for a three-day working visit.

He departs tomorrow.

A press release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs states that Mr Diependaele’s visit aims to strengthen relations between Botswana and the Flanders region following a meeting between President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi and the Minister-President of the government of Flanders, Mr Jan Janbon, which the two had on the margins of the 6th Africa-EU Summit in Brussels in February last year.

The release says Mr Diependaele will, during the visit, meet with the Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Kabo Morwaeng, Minister of Minerals and Energy, Mr Lefoko Moagi as well as Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr Mmusi Kgafela.

“The meetings will explore cooperation in the areas of trade and investment, tourism, innovation, research, digitalisation, agriculture, tourism, mining, waste management and renewable energy,” the releases says.

It further says Minister Diependaele will also officiate at the Genesis HB Botswana Digital and Innovation Hub launch in Gaborone and participate at a networking event organised in partnership with Botswana Investment and Trade Centre (BITC).

The release further says the Flanders region is regarded as the bread basket of Belgium, hosting most of the country’s industries and the city of Antwerp, which is considered the epicentre of the world diamond trade.

It says the Flanders region also boasts of an excellent record in agricultural production, research and development as a highly developed tourism and leisure industry. ENDS