Africa-Press – Botswana. The 17th US-Africa Business Summit is held at a time when the world is engulfed by uncertainty from the changes introduced by the United States government that are impacting negatively on long standing and beneficial trade relations, President Advocate Duma Boko has said.
In an interview with the media on the sidelines of the just ended US-Africa Business Summit in Luanda, Angola on Tuesday, President Boko said the US tariff tensions had been a daunting challenge, likely to backslide efforts to grow the African economy. He, however explained that following pleas from concerned countries that were trading with the US, the tariffs were suspended until further notice to allow for dialogue.
President Boko said the tariff imposed on Botswana worsened the already bleak future faced by the diamonds industry. He said Botswana was therefore, pleading for zero tariffs, with emphasis on the sale of diamonds to allow for the sector to resurrect. He said the Summit was an ideal platform for businesses, African leaders to come together, build a united force that would cement and grow the existing business relations with the US.
He also added that the Africa Growth and Opportunities Act, (AGOA), a piece of legislation that was put in place to guide trade relations, protect goods from countries such as Botswana, allowing access to the US market without challenges would expire September, 2025. He said the consensus of African leaders as it was the case with scrapping of the introduced tariffs, was for AGOA to be reinstated as it had been doing well in allowing African businesses to trade in lucrative US markets.
He also added that his attendance at the US-Africa Business Summit was to engage in talks with representatives of the US government with the view to iron out some issues that were a hindrance to trade between Botswana and the US. He said it was important to balance the equation as the US was concerned that they were giving business to Botswana while getting nothing in return.
“We want them to come to Botswana and do business in a way that will be mutually beneficial,” he said.
President Boko said allowing US businesses to set up in Botswana was a way of nurturing and harnessing beneficial business relations between the two countries. He said the fact that Botswana was part of the US-Africa Business Summit showed willingness that Botswana was open and determined to do business with the US. He said the Summit was held in Angola, a partner in good standing with Botswana as the duo were tied and working together on varied relations.
President Boko said it was of importance to engage in relations with other nations that would benefit the country’s economy. He said it was pleasing that African nations were now determined and willing to work together to grow a robust economy and open free trade that would grow the regional market. He added that Botswana was gradually gaining confidence, trust and respect from other African countries.
The President said Botswana was seen as a guide and a model of good governance and that would only become realistic by action, taking the lead and guiding the region towards prosperity. He further said Botswana must give direction and bring the continent together, open up markets for locally produced goods and services, grow the economy by engaging in beneficial business relations.
For More News And Analysis About Botswana Follow Africa-Press
