20 Dec 2024

Botswana and United Arab Emirates (UAE) are fully committed to fostering bilateral relations between the two countries and expand on existing areas of cooperation in the coming years, President Advocate Duma Boko has said.

Speaking during a courtesy meeting with UAE special envoy, Sheikh Shakhboot Al Nahyan at the Office of the President on December 20, President Boko said the two countries had over the years maintained a progressive, collegial and friendly disposition bilaterally, and had enjoyed each other’s support at various multilateral fora.

“Botswana and the UAE share strong diplomatic and bilateral relations therefore, there is a huge potential to extend the scope of bilateral trade and partnerships in various sectors as both countries aim to capitalise on the existing relations,” said President Boko.

He said it was pleasing that the two countries attached a lot of importance to their diplomatic relations, which were premised on their shared values of democracy, mutual respect and understanding, as well as continuous pursuit of sustainable development.

The relations were further nurtured during Botswana’s participation at the Dubai Expo, which created a solid foundation for local entrepreneurs to trade with their UAE counterparts to establish business partnerships in an effort to expand their market clientele, President Boko said.

He noted that significant progress in enhancing bilateral relations between the two countries had been more possible in recent years particularly in the areas of investment promotion missions and potential investment.

At a bilateral level, President Boko said the two countries enjoyed cordial relations characterised by mutual respect for international law, human rights and democracy adding that he was hopeful that the UAE would consider Botswana as an investment destination of choice. Sheikh Al Nahyan indicated that UAE considered Botswana an important trade partner and remained steadfast in nurturing both bilateral and trade relations between the two countries. Ends