Botswana and SA sign MOU

Reuters

President of the Republic of Botswana, Seretse Khama Ian Khama. REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko

Botswana -

Botswana and South Africa have agreed to establish a commission to promote co-operation between the two countries, the office of Botswana's president Seretse Ian Khama said on Wednesday.

A memorandum of understanding was also signed for co-operation in the energy sector, it said in a statement.

President Jacob Zuma arrived in Botswana on Wednesday morning for a two-day working visit.

“The state visit is expected to focus on key areas such as trade and investment, energy, transport, science and technology, environment and security issues,” presidential spokesman Mac Maharaj said in a statement.

“It will also emphasise the need to invest in infrastructure development, especially for the two countries to work together on large scale projects such as cross-border infrastructure, industrial and energy developments.”

Maharaj said strong economic ties already existed between the two countries and that South Africa remained Botswana's major trading partner.

Zuma was accompanied by several ministers.

After the signing, Khama hosted a state banquet in Zuma’s honour.

His office said 86 business leaders from South Africa were expected to attend a business seminar later in the day.

After this, Zuma was expected to visit the graves of apartheid victims of June 14, 1985.

On that day, SA Defence Force troops crossed into Botswana and attacked the offices of Umkhonto we Sizwe, the military wing of the African National Congress, in Gaborone.

The raid resulted in the deaths of 12 people, including women and children. Five of the dead were members of the ANC. - Sapa