Botswana loans Malawi US$10m for agriculture, health sectors
Botswana government has given Malawi a soft loan of U$10 million for use in its agriculture and health sectors a development that has heralded a long term commitment to sharing resources and
expertise in a number of areas.
According to State House news statement released on Monday, the loan will also help improve precarious fuel situation.
The governments made the commitments during bilateral talks between President Joyce Banda and her Botswana counterpart Lt General Seretse Ian Khama in Gaborone on Monday where the Malawi President is on a two-day state visit.
The two governments which have a Joint Permanent Commission of Cooperation (JPCC) also agreed to fast track private sector engagement and establish an investment and Promotion Protection agreement to expedite provision of the credit lines.
President Kama also announced a donation of 150 cows to Malawi for the newly-launched ‘A Cow A Family’ project which has so far rolled out in the South and Central regions.
Botswana also committed to sharing experiences and expertise to Malawi by providing training to Malawi in areas of tourism, wildlife and mining.
President Khama invited Malawi’s Minister of Mining and his officials to visit Botswana to work out the modalities of the training.
“We will be very happy to share our expertise on legislation and Mining Protocols,” President Khama said.
President Khama also committed his government to import beans and other legumes from Malawi.
He said Botswana will assess how much of the products his government would like to buy.
President Banda arrived in Gaborone early in the morning on Monday and was given a 21 gun salute and guard of honor by the Botswana Defence Force. She later toured the Botswana Diamond Trading Company before being hosted to a state luncheon.
On Tuesday, President Banda will jointly with President Khama open a Poverty Eradication Initiative Symposium in Maun, some 600 kilometers north of Gaborone.
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