Thursday, February 6, 2025

Masisi’s bilateral agreements target diamonds and beef

The recent Angolan state visit to Botswana is said to have culminated with the agreement to utilise Diamond Trading Company Botswana (DTCB), for trade of their diamonds while the other main agreement was on agriculture and livestock.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Lemogang Kwape told Parliament that one of the agreements was on Agriculture and Livestock, to basically assist Angola within the livestock sector on repopulation of their cattle, through export of semen, embryo, as well as live cattle. 

“Principally, Botswana will also assist with the setting up of an artificial insemination facility. These issues all speak to the objective of the reset agenda, through value addition in the agriculture and livestock industry,” said Kwape.

He further stated that still on the global platform, they have witnessed the President promote Botswana’s image abroad as a respected and influential player. He added that to date, Botswana has served as a host to a number of international meetings including the recently held US-Africa Business Summit; the Forbes Under 30 Summit, and the 2022 International Summit on Constitutionalism and Democratic Consolidation.

“During His Excellency’s high level state and official visits to partner countries, a number of bilateral agreements aimed at strengthening and deepening bilateral cooperation have been signed. Most recently President Mokgweetsi Masisi received the President of the Republic of Angola, from 20th to 21st July 2023, on a reciprocal visit consequent to his Visit to Angola in 2018,” he stated.

Kwape further spoke of the recent US-Africa Business summit and stated that according to BITC, the total gains emanating from hosting the US-Africa business summit total P25,400,000.00. He added  the government of Botswana had budgeted P8 million, towards hosting the crucial economy catalysing event. 

“We have embraced this notion and are going to continue being the destination for Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE). This is informed by our enlightened realization that the benefits of such meetings are felt by an ordinary Motswana,” said Kwape.

He is of the view that their successful bid to host the Kimberly Secretariat, will among others, lead to job creation for Batswana in the diamond value chain industry. He added that Botswana has employed multilateralism as a foreign policy tool to help guarantee her national security; to mobilize much needed development support from external sources and partners; secure markets for her goods and services; have her voice heard around the world; and to help shape a better world.

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