26 Aug 2024

 Botswana is grateful for the strong bilateral relations it has enjoyed over the years with the United Kingdom (UK) of Great Britain and Northern Ireland through the Commonwealth.

This was said by His Excellency the President, Dr Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi during a presentation of credentials by British High Commissioner, Mr Giles Enticknap in Gaborone yesterday.

President Masisi said the UK had been the most stable and longest diplomatic partner Botswana has had since independence, something he said should be kept alive. 

“We have many commonalities such as bilateral engagements in sectors from education to science and technology among others and we look forward to deepening these,” he said.

He said that there was also a new agreement between the UK and Southern African Customs Union (SACU) following Brexit, which he said was a replication of earlier agreements between the two entities.

President Masisi, however, raised concern that given the length of time of bilateral relations between Botswana and the UK, there were still only about 14 companies from Botswana trading in the UK.

On other issues, President Masisi said Botswana had decided quite strategically to veer off and focus on developing a knowledge-based economy, therefore, was looking forward to working with the Brits in that area as they have mastered that field.

“We want to partner with your institutions and derive from your partnership that which will yield for us quickest. We want to realise that we can do this high-income status by 2036 and so we look forward to your energy and your expertise and your own staff assisting,” he said.

British High Commissioner, Mr Enticknap also appreciated what he said were very strong relations between the two countries and promised to work tirelessly to ensure it remained so.

“I will work tirelessly with all the vitality and energy I can bring to deepen those, and my government has been really clear that mutual economic growth, issues of climate and nature and global challenges that we face are absolute priority,” he said.

Mr Enticknap also said he was looking forward to bringing the UK expertise as a catalyst to support the areas that Botswana was looking to develop.

He was also keen on deepening trade partnerships between the two countries to effect any economic partnership agreements in existence. ends