Africa-Press – Botswana. Cooperation agreements between Botswana and Mozambique are crucial in strengthening trade opportunities and delivering agreements set out on Joint Permanent Commission on Cooperation between the two states in different sectors, President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi has said.
President Masisi, who was in Mozambique on a three-day-state visit, said through the agreements, Botswana was keen to grow relations with Mozambique especially in the economic front.
The President said there were ample trade opportunities between the two countries that could go a long way in benefitting their citizens.
“While Mozambique has a lot of products and opportunities, Botswana equally has some,” he said. In that regard, he said Botswana was committed to sharing her know-how in the military and security space, agriculture and livestock breeding and rearing, increasing throughput in commodities such as oil and fuel, using Mozambique’s facilities.
“We therefore urge that favourable conditions be granted to us by Mozambique,” he added.
Subsequently, President Masisi witnessed the signing of agreements on cooperation in different sectors between Botswana and Mozambique.
On the field of trade, industry and investment, the cooperation signed by Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr Mmusi Kgafela and Mozambique’s Minister of Industry and Commerce, Mr Silvino Jose Moreno aimed to develop the exchange of experiences and technological cooperation between public and private sectors of both countries in different areas.
The agreement would allow for exchange in trade and investment, develop the manufacturing sector and support creation of incubators to provide technical assistance to promote Small Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs).
Another cooperation on the field of agriculture, livestock and food security that was signed by Minister of Agriculture, Mr Fidelis Molao and his Mozambican counterpart, Mr Ishmael Correia, would facilitate the two countries to share knowledge management of animals and plant diseases and pests and trade in livestock vaccines.
The agreement will also assist the two countries on sharing knowledge about dairy and agriculture development, agro-processing and agricultural value chains development.
The security and public order agreement signed between Botswana and Mozambique endeavours to combat drug trafficking, stock theft crime and exchange information on anti-poaching.
It was signed by Minister of Defence and Security, Mr Kagiso Mmusi and Foreign Affairs Minister for Mozambique, Ms Veronica Macamo and will also allow both countries to regularly exchange information in connection with security and public order and further train officers in diverse fields covered under agreement.
The two countries have also signed for cooperation in preventing and combating corruption which would facilitate them to conduct collaborative research investigations, assist each other with sharing experiences, expertise and staff attachment.
Signed by Foreign Affairs Minister, Dr Lemogang Kwape and her Mozambican counterpart, Ms Macamo, the cooperation will further allow the two countries to provide each other with mutual assistance regarding the identification and tracking of individuals and proceeds obtained or derived from transactions of corruption, economic and financial crimes.
The two ministers further signed for cooperation on communication and information and communications technologies which will enable the two countries to deploy communication and ICT infrastructure links such as the backbone, satellite systems, backhaul and international connectivity to foster regional and international integration.
Among other things, the instrument will also manage radio frequency spectrum through efficient planning, coordination and monitoring.
Botswana and Mozambique further committed to share knowledge and strategies on social protection of the elderly and persons with disabilities through a cooperation on social protection.
The cooperation, among others, aimed to build strong synergies between the two countries in programme delivery.
It would further promote sensitisation of the public on the prevention and combating discrimination and facilitate reviews of legislation pertaining to social protection.
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