04 Nov 2026

Botswana and Qatar are seeking to strengthen bilateral relations, with trade, investment, energy, sports and economic transformation identified as key areas for enhanced cooperation.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the first session of political consultations between the two countries in Gaborone on November 4, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of International Relations, Ambassador Thuso Ramodimoosi, said the meeting marked an important milestone in operationalising the Memorandum of Understanding on Political Consultations signed on April 15, 2019, during the state visit to Qatar by former President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi.

He said the consultations provided a structured platform for dialogue, assessing progress on existing commitments, addressing challenges and identifying new areas of cooperation.

He called for the acceleration and finalisation of pending bilateral agreements, proposing that timelines be set for their completion and signing.

Ambassador Ramodimoosi says since the establishment of diplomatic relations in November 2006, Botswana and Qatar had enjoyed cordial relations founded on mutual respect and a shared commitment to sustainable development.

“Botswana views Qatar not only as a valued partner in the Gulf region, but also as a strategic ally in our economic transformation agenda,” he says.

For his part, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar, Dr Ahmed Bin Hassan Al-Hammadi, said the meeting provided an opportunity to explore ways of expanding cooperation and addressing the relatively low trade volumes between the two countries.

“The discussions will cover trade, commerce, investment, sports and energy, as well as cooperation in multilateral platforms such as the United Nations,” he said

Dr Al-Hammadi also highlighted on the importance of following up on previously signed agreements and reviewing existing memoranda of understanding to ensure their effective implementation.

Both countries expressed hope that the consultations would produce tangible outcomes, open new avenues for partnership and translate diplomatic relations into meaningful socio-economic benefits for their citizens. ENDS