The much-anticipated event was attended by the President of the Republic of South Africa, His Excellency Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa, President of the Republic of Botswana, His Excellency President Dr. Eric Mokgweetsi Keabetswe Masisi, Honorable Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Mr. Ebrahim Patel (South Africa), Honorable Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr. Mmusi Kgafela (Botswana), Honorable Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ms. Naledi Pandor (South Africa), Honorable Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Lemogang Kwape (Botswana) and other delegates from both government and the private sector, including Old Mutual Botswana Group CEO, Gerald Randall and General Manager of Old Mutual Life, Daniel Matlhagela.
The intention of the roundtable is to provide an opportunity for the Heads of States to have an opportunity to engage in in-depth conversations with industry leaders from the two countries to engage in the existing Bilateral economic relationship.
Key outcomes of the round table:
- Identify and recommend measures to address trade and investment barriers between South Africa and Botswana e.g., non-tariff barriers contribute highly to barriers in us being able to trade across the continent.
- Identify trade and opportunities on the basis to strengthen cooperation and government as well as private sector level to advance the localization, joint export promotion efforts, and industrialization efforts.
- Identify a package of concrete actions to create a conducive environment to strengthen business-to-business linkages and cooperation to support the implementation of SACU, regional value chains, and AFCFTA.
In his welcome remarks, His Excellency, Dr. Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi spoke to Botswana’s commitment to developing value chains to unlock opportunities for new and existing companies in the private sector. “We commit to identifying sectors from the regional and continental product space which can successfully be wholly produced or grown in the country to form part of the value chain. These will result in significant job creation especially for the young people whilst also driving the much-needed export in diversification to support the aspirations of our export-led economy,” said President Masisi.
In response to President Masisi’s speech, President Cyril Ramaphosa spoke about the heritage and history of the two countries and how action-oriented the Ministers from both states are. “I am encouraged by the work the Trade Ministers have already started to align our plans toward a common Southern African Customs Union (SACU). A plan to nationalize a continental joint trade area. The joint export promotion platforms that are being discussed at the SACU levels for leveraging the AFCFTA trade opportunities are really promising. It is through value chains that we will be able to grow our industrial exports to the rest of the continent.”
He commended President Masisi on ‘enticing and winning over De Beers in moving to Botswana from London’. “Whilst we continue to encourage South African companies to invest in Botswana, we are encouraged by Botswana companies that continue to invest in South Africa. In particular, we need to encourage our respective companies to invest in areas that will address the infrastructure and industrial deficits, “he added. It is our expectation that today’s session will address these issues.
President Ramaphosa urged the public held entities and private sector to form joint ventures and joint companies to find solutions to enhance growth between our two countries and strengthen the South Africa and Botswana economic relationship that has been growing and growing from where we started.
During the 2nd session of the Day 2 programme, Old Mutual Botswana Group CEO, Gerald Randall, had the opportunity to address the delegates as a Botswana-based company operating in Botswana for the past 28 years.
Key to Mr. Randall’s interpretations is that “Old Mutual Botswana is also a member of the South African Business Forum in Botswana whose mandate is to contribute to Botswana’s competitiveness and economic advancement for the mutual benefit of both Botswana and South Africa. We are an example of the successful collaboration of the two nations to drive sustainable growth through investment. We have built a business that is fully anchored in citizen economic empowerment and positioned to provide mutually beneficial relationships. My role today is to share some of the opportunities that we can take advantage of through this partnership, our focus will be on the digital revolution and other initiatives that we believe can ensure sustainable development; FinTech, funding for sustainable development & trade, renewable energy, capacity Building, and skills development”.
“The relationship between our two nations has stood not only the test of time but also the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Our commitment to our bilateral cooperation remains steadfast and is a testament to our commitment to working closely together and further advancing our bilateral cooperation, here’s to many more years of friendship and bilateral relations”.