07 May 2013

Botswana and Malawi view their Joint Permanent Commission on Cooperation (JPCC) as a sustainable mechanism through which the two countries can exploit their full potential in various areas.

According to the Permanent Secretary in the ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Mr Lapologang Lekoa, both countries aim to use the JPCC to identify and remove bottlenecks that hinders efforts of fully exploiting their potential in different sectors.

Speaking during the second meeting of Botswana/ Malawi IPCC at Ditshupo Hall in Gaborone on May 6, he said Botswana and Malawi have enjoyed excellent bilateral relations over the years, anchored on mutual respect, shared vision and common desire to secure a better future for its peoples.

“We share a very strong historical and cultural bond. Collaboration between the two nations predates independence of the two countries and it became a foundation for post-independence cooperation.

The Joint Permanent Commission on Cooperation is therefore a formalisation of already existing strong bilateral between the two nations,” Mr Lekoa said.

The JPCC which was established over a decade ago held its first meeting in Lilongwe, Malawi in September 2001.

Agreement was reached during that meeting that the two countries would work together on several areas, including commerce, industry and investment, transport and communication, agriculture, irrigation and water development, mining, health, education, science and research, and defence and security.

The second meeting on Monday which was attended by High Commissioners from the two countries, permanent secretaries and senior officials reviewed and agreed on effective modalities to implement the areas of cooperation falling under the framework of Botswana/Malawi JPCC.

Various issues were discussed including avoidance of double taxation under finance and review of the 1956 customs agreement and joint trade and investment promotion under commerce, industry and investment.

Through JPCC which was held in 2001 cooperation between the two nations in various sectors continued to flourish over the years.

The two countries also discussed cooperating on management and control of common diseases, and HIV/ AIDS under health, as well as exchange of a joint defence and security committee under the area of defence, justice and security.

The Permanent Secretary in the ministry of Foreign Affairs in Malawi Mr George Mkondiwa said the two countries have failed to meet on several occasions since the first JPCC meeting in 2001 therefore it was imperative to gain lost ground in implementing outstanding issues.

He however noted that notable progress had been made in areas such as agriculture, education, finance, mining, defence and security.

The permanent secretary called for the agreement on establishment of a joint defence and security committee as agreed in 2001 to be concluded at the earliest possible time.

“This will provide framework to discuss defence and security matters, in order to curb among others human trafficking, organised crime and car thefts in the region,” Mr Mkondiwa said. ENDS