Africa-Press – Botswana. Senior officials attending the ongoing 4th session of Botswana and Zimbabwe Bi-National Commission (BNC) have been implored to re-double their efforts and conclude negotiations on all pending draft instruments of cooperation.
During the last meeting of the Mid-Term Review in December 2022 held in Victoria Falls, it was evident that there was constant growth in the bilateral relations, which cover a wide range of issues in the different committees under the BNC.
In his opening remarks in Maun on Tuesday, Permanent secretary of Foreign Affairs, Mr Clifford Maribe recalled that the second BNC instructed that all pending legal instruments should be finalised and signed.
“I am confident that our different committees and sub-committees will effectively address the pertinent issues emanating from our previous meetings, with particular emphasis on taking stock of progress made in the implementation of decisions of the 3rd BNC Session,” he said.
Delegates were informed that the aim of the preparatory meeting was to also adopt recommendations for consideration by ministers and state presidents.
Mr Maribe noted that the necessary logistical arrangements had been made to facilitate meetings through the various committees.
The main objective of the task, he said was to deliver progress made in the previous session, adding that conclusions and recommendations they would be submitting for consideration and adoption by their principals should go a long way in further enhancing collaboration at the institutional levels. They are expected to have a direct and meaningful impact in improving the livelihoods of their communities.
Discussions, he said would also explore new areas of cooperation between Botswana and Zimbabwe with a view to further widen and deepen the scope of the bilateral relations. Mr Maribe revealed that there were abundant opportunities that remained untapped particularly with regard to trade and investment, and welcomed the business forum which would be convened today.
He said the forum, organised and coordinated jointly by Botswana Investment and Trade Centre and ZIMTrade, was a welcome development, which stood to unlock the economic potential between the two countries. Botswana’s commitment and strong desire for improved relations between the sisterly countries remained firm and resolute, he said.
His Zimbabwean counterpart, acting secretary for Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Ms Rofina Chikava concurred that it was crucial that the delegates maintained focus on their goal to come up with an outcome that would be adopted by their principals with a view to advancing service delivery in their respective countries.
She appreciated that momentum of their bilateral exchanges had been impressive, noting that a number of sectors had advanced technical partnerships, which, on their own, demonstrated the vibrancy, depth and breadth of the cooperation.
She mentioned sectors such as agriculture, wildlife management, health, land and social welfare, national housing, defence and security, among others.
Furthermore, she appreciated that Zimbabwe and Botswana had about 45 instruments of bilateral cooperation, most of which were being optimally implemented.
She acknowledged that the Mid-Term Review held in December 2022 helped them to conclude negotiations on a number of important instruments citing instruments in the fields of trade and investment promotion; cooperative development and Micro, small and medium enterprises development; air transportation; prisons and correctional Services, as well as gainful employment of spouses of diplomatic and consular staff.
“We must as well acknowledge that there are other areas in which progress has not been as fast, or as extensive as we had anticipated.Only candid identification of implementation gaps during this meeting will help us to re-commit ourselves to address all the impediments standing in the way of progress. It is my fervent hope that we will be able to witness the signing of some memorandum before the end of this session,” she added.
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