04 Jul 2024

Economic cooperation remains the cornerstone of Botswana and Namibia bilateral relations, says Namibia President, Dr Nangolo Mbumba. 

Receiving his counterpart, President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi during the official talks yesterday, Dr Mbumba said since the launch of the use of national identity cards for cross border travel, efforts towards operating the one stop border post at Mamuno border along the Trans-Kalahari Highway brought some significant development.

He said the development  contributed to efficiency of the SADC transport development corridors, thereby, contributing to regional development and economic integration efforts.

Dr Mbumba noted that in the area of cross border trade, the two nations continued to make progress as witnessed by the donation of a peace of land to Botswana to establish a Dry Port at Walvis Bay Sea Port thus making Botswana sea linked.

He said the development was not done as a gesture of goodwill, but to equally facilitate imports and exports of goods and services with the understanding that Botswana was intending to increase volumes of trade of imports and exports through the dry port.

Dr Mbumba said cooperation in defence and security matters was crucial in addressing trans-national security threats such as terrorism and organised crime. 

He said by enhancing cooperation on security, the two nations would protect their citizens and contribute to a safer and more stable Southern Africa.

On the regional and international front, Dr Mbumba said the two countries would continue to work together, to consult and harmonise their position on matters of mutual interest and concern. “As SADC member states we view stability and regional integration as crucial components to the progress of economic and social development of our people,” he said.

Therefore, he said it was paramount to pursue with determination such attributes for the benefit of the people. As stalwarts of regional integration and stability, Dr Mbumba reaffirmed unwavering commitment to facilitate dialogue between all neighbouring countries through various SADC tools aimed at achieving amicable diplomatic solutions to any matters posing threat to the region. 

President Mbumba also appreciated the solidarity and support extended to them during the period of mourning following the passing on of  Dr Hage Geingob and likened the support to that of a family.

As good neighbours, he said it was vital for the countries to engage in regular dialogue aimed at enhancing the effectiveness of policies pursued to develop the economies and the people of the two nations.

Therefore, he said President Masisi’s official visit provided an opportunity for interactions and for the delegation to assess progress made in different areas of bilateral cooperation.

For his part,  President Masisi indicated that Botswana and Namibia maintained successful and robust bilateral cooperation marked by increasing numbers of engagements.

He said together with his counterpart, they had a lively and robust tête-à-tête prior to the official talks, covering a wide range of issues.

President Masisi said such engagements were meant to close any gaps that might exist in their commendable relations. 

He said through various sessions of the Joint Permanent Commission on Cooperation and the Joint Permanent Commission on Defence and Security, the two nations had decided to enhance collaboration through Bi-National Commission (BNC).

He said the inaugural session of the BNC was held in September 2022, to advance the shared bilateral agenda. 

President Masisi said the adoption of the agreement to extend operational hours at the Mamuno Border Post to facilitate trans-border movement to 24 hours was a commendable development.

He said the Trans-Kalahari Railway was a crucial infrastructure development in improving cross border trade between the two countries and easing movement of  people. He observed that it was imperative to ensure that all initial processes relating to the project were finalised for it to take off. Ends