Africa-Press – Botswana. Botswana has made remarkable impressions at the just-ended President Advocate Duma Boko’s official visit to Belgium.
In an interview, President Boko expressed hope that markets would start opening up for investment following successful interactions with investors across the diamond value chain.
He said there was hope and optimism since contacts and leads had been created, adding that there would be follow-ups to propel Botswana to greater heights.
President Boko revealed that he shared Botswana’s perspectives on a wide array of issues and sectors that should be targeted.
His mission, he said, was largely to restore investor confidence as the diamond industry was going through a rough patch globally.
The President said he was hopeful that investors would start coming to Botswana and create employment opportunities. To this end, he said the country was working on the ease-of-doing business by removing bureaucratic hurdles that hindered progress.
Advocate Boko stressed that there was no value in sparking interest on investors and remain unresponsive to the extent that investment became obsolete.
“We cannot court investors and be complacent. Investments should be expedited,” he said, adding that he was impressed by the reception he got in Belgium and that he had observed overwhelming interest by investors willing to start businesses in Botswana.
With the level of response garnered, he said the country was poised to attract Foreign Direct Investment and in turn improve the economy.
“I must say there is indication that there is some elation and a lot of interest in our country,” he said.
As an economy that largely depends on diamonds, President said he engaged with the diamond industry players and convinced them to continue working with Botswana.
He said there was a lot to be pursued regarding exploitation of the diamond value chain, especially the requisite skills needed to determine the value of diamonds.
He noted that Batswana were endowed with upstream skills, putting Botswana in a better place to derive value from the diamonds, especially after they had been polished.
“We want these companies to transfer skills to the locals so to create jobs,” he said.
President Boko also encouraged Botswana embassies to gather information on investment through the investment coordination arm as well as to track progress.
While in Belgium, President Boko held bilateral meetings, toured the Botswana Embassy in Belgium and addressed Batswana in the diaspora.
He was accompanied by First Lady Kaone, Minister for International Relations, Dr Phenyo Butale, Minister of Minerals and Energy, Ms Bogolo Kenewendo and senior government officials. They are expected back home today.
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