HM, Botswana president discuss cooperation in key sectors

GABORONE: His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik held a bilateral meeting with Botswana President Duma Gideon Boko at the Presidential Office in Gaborone on Wednesday as part of His Majesty’s visit to Botswana.

The two leaders reviewed the relations between Oman and Botswana and stressed the importance of strengthening them to serve shared interests and deliver greater benefits to the peoples of both countries.

An expanded official session of talks was subsequently held under the chairmanship of His Majesty the Sultan and President Boko.

The session reviewed existing cooperation and explored ways to expand ties, particularly in renewable energy, mining, investment, logistics, food security and agriculture.

The Omani delegation included HH Sayyid Shihab bin Tarik al Said, Deputy Prime Minister for Defence Affairs; Sayyid Khalid bin Hilal al Busaidi, Minister of the Diwan of Royal Court; Gen Sultan bin Mohammed al Numani, Minister of the Royal Office; Sayyid Badr bin Hamad al Busaidi, Foreign Minister; Dr Hamad bin Said al Aufi, Head of the Private Office; Abdulsalam bin Mohammed al Murshidi, Chairman of Oman Investment Authority; Anwar bin Hilal al Jabri, Minister of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion; and Ambassador Ali bin Said al Kathiri, Head of Oman’s Mission to South Africa.

The Botswana delegation included Vice-President and Minister of Finance Ndaba Nkosinathi Gaolathe and several ministers responsible for international relations, defence and security, energy and minerals, trade and entrepreneurship, health, labour and home affairs, and transport and infrastructure.

His Majesty the Sultan also signed the VIP visitors’ register. His Majesty and President Boko exchanged commemorative gifts reflecting the deep friendship between the two countries.