19 Oct 2014

Botswana looks up to Russia for assistance in human resource development.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Mr Phandu Skelemani said at a welcome reception hosted for Russian Ambassador to Botswana, Mr Victor Sibilev that Botswana could benefit from Russia, especially in sharing technological advancements in science and technology.

Mr Skelemani said previously Russia had assisted Botswana in training medicine students. He said Russia would be useful to Botswana especially after the relocation of diamond and its downstream activities from London by sharing its technological know-how.

He said a Russian company, Norilsk Nickel, had delivered a number of mining and mineral processing projects in Botswana, and that more companies from Russia should come on board. He further said Botswana and Russia enjoyed long standing ties and that they should be natured to continue to the upcoming generations.

Mr Sibilev said one of the priority tasks during his tenure would be finding ways to strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation in the areas of trade and economy. “Our countries share more than a half of the global diamond mining. 

This opens up traditional options for cooperation, not only in maintaining stability of the world diamond market, but also working together and sharing experience in polishing technology and manufacture of jewelry,” he said.

He said his country would send a Russian business mission to be composed of representatives of core government ministries and private businesses under the umbrella of the Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

“We expect that this will give an impetus for deepening our trade and economic ties,” he said. ENDS