11 Feb 2024

Botswana and Zimbabwe’s Presidents, Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi  and Dr Emmerson Mnangagwa  have expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the recent Bi-National Commission (BNC) meeting. Both Presidents welcomed the signing of a memorandum of agreement on Gainful Employment of Spouses of diplomatic and consular staff as part of their discussions.

The BNC session, which concluded  on Friday, gave  them an opportunity to review the status of bilateral relations and engage in discussions about regional, continental, and international issues of mutual interest. 

They also conducted thorough discussions on the progress of joint commitments and explored new avenues for bilateral cooperation.

Further, the heads of state instructed relevant authorities to implement the signed instruments and further directed ministries to finalise the outstanding instruments by the mid-term review of the 4^th BNC session in Botswana in November . 

Both leaders also acknowledged the expansion of bilateral cooperation in various sectors and instructed ministers on new areas of collaboration.

Additionally, they welcomed the convening of a business forum alongside the BNC, providing a platform for industry leaders and small and medium enterprises to exchange and share ideas on business opportunities.

The heads of state also acknowledged the efforts to combat cross-border crime, including livestock rustling, and encouraged further collaboration to eliminate these issues. 

Both leaders expressed enthusiasm for the continued strengthening of their countries’ relationship and the positive impact on their respective communities. 

They also emphasized the importance of implementing the agreements for the benefit of their economies.

In his closing remarks, President Mnangagwa appreciated the successful outcomes of the meeting, emphasising the importance of turning agreements into concrete actions for the benefit of both countries. 

The decisions agreed on, he said were testimony that they were on the right direction to achieve sustainable development and improve the livelihoods of their communities.

An agreement, he said was good as its implementation and as such called on senior officials to change the way they had been doing things citing that they should remove all barriers that held the results for the benefit of both countries.

“Our countries aim to enhance collective interest by turning agreements into concrete actions. The programmes we agreed on must deliver results that benefit our economies,” said Dr Mnangagwa

President Masisi also hailed the meeting as a success and expressed confidence in the decisions made.

He highlighted the need for prompt action to respond to the needs of their people and noted that many issues, including combating livestock rustling, had been addressed. 

He also stressed the importance of concluding the remaining 13 instruments and urged officials to accelerate efforts in this regard.

Dr Masisi further said the development of the instruments of cooperation were clear demonstration of their firmness on widening and deepening the scope of the bilateral relations. ends