19 November 2025
President Advocate Duma Boko on November 18 received letters of credence from Bangladesh, Denmark, Venezuela and Dominican Republic at the Office of the President.
In welcoming Bangladesh High Commissioner to Botswana, Shah Ahmed Shafi, President Boko expressed delight over the outstanding bilateral relations that existed between Botswana and Bangladesh.
“The Bangladesh Minister of Labour once visited Botswana and proposed the conclusion of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with a number of issues that had to be followed up, one of them being the visa free movement between the two countries,” President Boko said.
He said Bangladesh was a probable strategic partner for Botswana in the agricultural sector particularly in animal husbandry and livestock production.
“Bangladesh has a cattle population of over 24 million while Botswana is eager to get to five million, hence there is a lot that Botswana can learn from Bangladesh in order to reach the five million mark,” he said.
President Boko said Botswana once sent a team of farmers on a benchmarking mission to Bangladesh and was hopeful that the mission would be fruitful in order for agriculture to raise its contribution to the economy. He said Bangladesh produces pharmaceutical products at 98% self-sufficiency and also exports to 150 countries. The President therefore said he was optimistic that Bangladesh would come on board to relieve Botswana from the current severe drug shortage.
Receiving letters of credence from Danish High Commissioner, Karin Poulsen, President Boko said the relationship between the two nations was built on shared bonds of commitment to democracy, respect for human rights, peace and security, economic and social development. He said Botswana had previously received support and assistance from Denmark and was keen to deepen relations with the country. He highlighted that Denmark had previously supported Botswana’s beef industry by providing training on foot and mouth disease detection and the establishment of a meat inspection centre.
Welcoming Venezuela High Commissioner, Magaly Gonzalez, President Boko said Botswana supports the territorial sovereignty of all nations.
He reaffirmed Botswana’s commitment to the fundamental principles of international law, sovereignty and respect for the integrity of sovereign states, thus extending the country’s support to the nation of Venezuela.
Similarly, in welcoming Dominican Republic High Commissioner, Erika Rodriguez, President Boko indicated that it was worth acknowledging that Botswana and the Dominican Republic have a common vision to acquire high income economies by 2036. Thus, he said it was important for both nations to cooperate to achieve their visions.
“I am also aware that you have established a national digital health strategy that runs from 2024 to 2028, and we have also embarked on a programme of a similar nature, to digitalise our health care and achieve universal health coverage,” he said.
In their response, the envoys vowed to execute their roles to further nurture the relations between Botswana and their respective countries.
Source: https://shorturl.at/AB9q2
