His Excellency the President Lt. Gen. Seretse Khama Ian Khama in Singapore

 
His Excellency the President Lt. Gen. Seretse Khama Ian Khama visited Singapore this week a three-day Official Visit at the invitation of His Excellency Mr. Sellapan Rama Nathan, the President of the Republic of Singapore. While in Singapore, HE the President Lt. Gen. Khama held official talks with HE President Nathan. Botswana and Singapore have enjoyed excellent relations and fruitful cooperation since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1993. The two countries have over the years cooperated in many areas with Singapore assisting Botswana in training/human resource development, establishment of Botswana National Productivity Centre (BNPC) and transformation of BIAC into a Botswana Civil Service College, to mention but a few.



The President was accompanied by Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Phandu Skelemani who was reported to have said Botswana has a lot to offer foreign investors citing semi skilled human resources and availability of land as some of the strengths the country has. Most important is that Botswana is at the heart of SADC and therefore exposed to adequate market.



Also accompanying the President was the Chief Executive of Botswana Export Development and Investment Authority (BEDIA), Mrs. Dorcas Makgato-Malesu, who during the visit said through the continued efforts, BEDIA was working with some businesses in Singapore in the field of ICT and pharmaceutical organisations. She said Singapore had already created innovation hubs and that Botswana was optimistic that she would learn more from the country. Mrs. Malesu is reported to have further said the global recession would not hinder BEDIA’s innovative measures of luring investors to Botswana, “instead it will act as a stepping stone to the future“.



BEDIA and Singapore Business community wrapped up the visit by signing a Memorandum of understanding.