Africa-Press – Botswana. The Botswana-Zambia Bi-National Commission elevates the relationship and bilateral cooperation between the two countries, from the level of the Joint Permanent Commission on Cooperation, said President Advocate Duma Boko.
“It reflects our shared commitment to building high-level dialogue to monitor the implementation of bilateral agreements, facilitate the alignment of policies and priorities between our two nations, and deepen ties across multiple sectors,” the President said on Friday in Lusaka, at the inaugural Botswana-Zambia Bi-National Commission, an occasion that marked an important milestone in advancing the relationship between of the two nations.
He added that the Bi-National Commission called all stakeholders into action, offering an opportunity to reflect on the progress achieved thus far while also confronting the challenges that remained.“We must use this moment to ensure that the decisions we take here today translate into concrete, measurable outcomes that bring tangible benefits to the lives of our citizens in areas such as trade, infrastructure development, energy, agriculture, education, tourism and security, to mention just a few,” said President Boko.
He commended Botswana and Zambia for completing the Kazungula Bridge and associated one-stop border crossings, saying it was a powerful symbol of effective cooperation and a shared vision in advancing connectivity and sustainable development.
“Much remains to be done, and this inaugural meeting provides a strategic platform to think boldly and act decisively in advancing our shared commitment to infrastructure development, trade facilitation, and regional integration,” said President Boko.
At the heart of the two countries’ agenda he said was a renewed and purposeful commitment to the broader commitments and objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area, aimed at transforming the continent. Zambian president, Mr Hakainde Hichilema said Zambia and Botswana had been partners and friends for many years, and emphasised the need for the two to trade more among themselves.
“Why should this country import salt from Europe?” he asked and said Zambia should instead be importing salt from Botswana.
Mr Hichilema said such a move would be commercially sensible, as the salt would be cheaper and trade would benefit the two neighbors.
However, he noted that there was a need to address logistics, roads, transport, and rail links between Botswana and Zambia.
“When we have done that, we will grow our economy, create business opportunities, improve our trade, and increase our income,” he stated. Mr Hichilema expressed delight at the upgrade of the partnership and encouraged the two governments to implement the agreements and deliver.
Following their presiding over the inaugural Botswana-Zambia Bi-National Commission, President Boko and President Hichilema witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on Health and Disaster Management by the portfolio ministers of the two countries.
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