International Relations Minister, Dr. Naledi Pandor has reaffirmed South Africa’s commitment to strengthen trade relations with Botswana after COVID-19 stalled economic growth in both countries.
Speaking on Wednesday at a high-level South Africa-Botswana Business Forum in Botswana, Gaborone, Pandor told delegates that they need to strengthen business-to-business linkages to facilitate trade, investment and joint venture partnerships.
“Tourism was hit hard in both countries due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and together we need to develop sustainable strategies to revitalize the tourism industry,” she said.
The forum forms part of celebrations of 28 years of trade and investment relations between the two countries.
Pandor together with the Trade, Industry and Competition Minister, Ebrahim Patel, are accompanying Cyril Ramaphosa on a working visit to the neighbouring country.
The Minister believes both countries would also benefit from an agricultural exchange, adding that despite Botswana having fertile land, it still imports a lot of the food.
“This is a trend across much of the continent which we can work together to address so that we can produce more of what we require without importing from beyond our shores.
“Through economic discussions, we could further investigate the production of animal feed, fruit processing, as well as vegetable and fertilizer production,” she told delegates.
South Africa is Botswana’s number one source of imports, while Botswana is ranked South Africa’s seventh largest export market.
