Africa-Press – Botswana. President Advocate Duma Boko says Botswana could further its development by strengthening diplomatic ties and enhancing collaboration with Saudi Arabia, Ireland and Kuwait.
He said this during presentation of letters of credence by the Ambassadors designate of the three countries in Gaborone Monday.
The President expressed gratitude to Mr Faisal bin Falah Alharbi of Saudi Arabia, Mr Austin Gormley of Ireland and Mr Salem Rashed Alshebli of Kuwait, emphasising the need to further deepen and strengthen existing cooperation and relations with Botswana.
“We need to raise our relations to a higher level and ensure that lessons from Saudi Arabia are passed onto Botswana,” President Boko said.
He said Botswana could benefit more from the corporate way Saudi Arabia ran its government, and noted that the country’s support and guidance could be of great benefit to his government.
As for Ireland, President Boko said Botswana wished to collaborate more on areas of science and technology and learn more on the research and technical areas.
“We are grateful for the continued relations and collaborations, especially the student exchange where currently we have 20 medical students in Ireland and others in the Agriculture sector at various institutions,” said President Boko.
With Botswana and Kuwait’s relationship defined by economic and diplomatic ties, President Boko expressed appreciation for the economic assistance the country received from Kuwait.
The President said Kuwait assisted the country in construction of roads and power station, as well as loans in partial grants. He said Botswana lifted Visa requirements for Kuwaitis, and requested that the same be reciprocated for Batswana visiting Kuwait.
President Boko added that Botswana sold its beef to Kuwait and said government was looking to do more with the country on other aspects of economic growth.
Meanwhile, Botswana and Saudi Arabia established diplomatic relations in 2007, and both countries are engaged in cooperative efforts, particularly in areas of mutual interest like trade, investment, and potential collaboration in mineral and energy resources.
“Saudi Arabia is keen to deepening relations with African states, Botswana included,” said Mr Falah Alharbi adding that his government and Kingdom valued the friendship and cooperation established by the two countries over the years. He said the duo had a common goal toward achieving and learning more from each other as they further enhanced their relations.
Botswana and Ireland on the other hand established diplomatic relations in 1996 and collaborate in areas like education and human resource development as well as other sectors, including discussions on strengthening bilateral relations on trade, investment opportunities and agri-food and tourism. In addition, there were exchanges and technical assistance to deepen the partnership of the two countries.
However, Ambassador designate Gormley expressed his government’s gratitude toward warm relations with Botswana and its people. He said Ireland admired Botswana’s progress post-independence, such as economic growth, stability and people development. He urged President Boko to consider Ireland a partner when Botswana diversifies its technology sector.
Mr Alshebli of Kuwait assured President Boko continued relations, deepening and strengthening of relations and cooperation between the two countries.
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