04 Sep 2023

Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Commonwealth of Australia, Ms Penny Wong, says her country views Botswana as a valuable partner associate in many respects.

Speaking during a courtesy call paid on her by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Lemogang Kwape in Canberra, Australia, she said the two countries had similar national interests.

Ms Wong said she was delighted about the visit to Australia by Botswana’s high powered delegation led by President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi.

She said the two countries had a long standing relationship, with a lot in common, and were collaborating well in the multilateral sphere.

“I appreciate our friendship and the relationship we have and continue to nurture,” said Ms Wong.

She said the Africa Down Under (ADU) conference was another opportunity for the two countries to engage, create trade networks and share skills in different mining activities.

Dr Kwape said Botswana and Australia’s relations had stood the test of time and that the two countries had shared values.

He said the duo had done well in supporting each other in the multilateral space, citing Australia’s support for Botswana to host the Kimberly Process Secretariat.

“We are working very hard to set the secretariat up in Botswana and we hope it will be worthwhile for all those who supported us and those who did not, because we believe that Botswana as the hub of diamond production and the largest producer by value, is well placed to host the secretariat,” he said.

Dr Kwape mentioned agriculture and education as some of the areas where Botswana had benefitted from its relationship with Australia.

He said the Africa Down Under Summit was another opportunity for Botswana to interact with Australian companies engaged in mining and that the platform would afford Australians an opportunity to identify investment opportunities in Botswana.

He cited the recent opening of the Motheo Mine that employed over 2 000 people as a true indication of the profitable relationship between Australia and Botswana.

Dr Kwape also commended Australia for hosting a successful Women’s Football World Cup.

In an interview following the courtesy call, Dr Kwape said ADU was a good investment opportunity for Batswana to make trade networks that would lead to value chain addition for the mineral resources.

He said Botswana stood to benefit from Australians wishing to establish businesses in Botswana.

Dr Kwape said since Botswana had successfully invested in education, Australian companies that would invest in Botswana would find well-trained workforce. ends