By OSWALD T. BROWN
WASHINGTON, D.C., March 18, 2024 – Bahamas Prime Minister Philip E. Davis, arrived in Botswana this morning on a five-day official visit.
The visit follows His Excellency Dr. Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi’s state visit to The Bahamas from September 13 – 15, 2023, where the two leaders discussed ways of strengthening cooperation between Botswana and The Bahamas.
“While in Botswana, the Prime Minister will hold official talks with President Masisi, visit the Bank of Botswana, Digital Innovation Hub, Diamond Trading Company Botswana as well as the Citrus Project in Selebi Phikwe,” according to a Botswana press release that accompanied an extensive collection of photos.
“The two leaders are scheduled to hold a joint press conference this afternoon at 1615hrs which will broadcast live on BWgovernment Facebook page,” the release noted.
Reporting on the Prime Minister’s visit to Botswana today in an article written by Travis Cartwright-Carroll, The Nassau Guardian noted that the Prime Minister is accompanied by four ministers and a parliamentary secretary, including Minister of Foreign Affairs Fred Mitchell; Minister of Education Glenys Hanna-Martin; Minister of Economic Affairs Michael Halkitis; Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg; and Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism, Investment and Aviation, John Pinder II.
“The prime minister and his team seek to reinforce strong diplomatic ties between The Bahamas and Botswana and to explore new educational, economic, and trade opportunities for Bahamians,” the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) said. “Both countries have national development strategies which require significant advances in food security, energy transition, digitalization, climate adaptation, education, and sustainable development. Botswana has had notable achievements in value chain development in tourism and agriculture. It has a longstanding program which offers local communities the opportunity to participate meaningfully in tourism development and sustainable resource management.”
OPM was further quoted as saying, “Both nations are vulnerable to climate change and are working to build alliances internationally to leverage fairer climate finance. The visit aims to unlock new economic ventures and educational exchanges and explore avenues for collaborative projects and trade opportunities.”
On his Facebook page, Prime Minister Davis expressed his “=gratitude to President Masisi “for his gracious invitation to visit the People of Botswana following his visit to The Bahamas last September.”
“Our team on the ground will spend the next few days focusing on areas of mutual interest, including trade, investment, tourism, banking, climate change, and education,” Prime Minister Davis said.
.
