Bangladesh and Botswana agreed to exchange technical knowledge and training in agriculture, fisheries, and aquaculture areas during a bilateral meeting between State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md. Shahriar Alam and Botswana Minister of Agriculture Mr. Fidelis M. Malao in Gaborone on Friday (10 February 2023). Both sides also hoped to identify potential areas of cooperation in agriculture, livestock, and fisheries areas.
State Minister Shahriar Alam appraised the Botswana side about the remarkable achievements of Bangladesh in the agriculture sector during the last decade. Highlighting Bangladesh’s ability to huge production of food staples, vegetables, fisheries, poultry, and livestock in its small amount of land, the State Minister proposed the Botswana side consider contract farming by the Bangladeshi entrepreneurs in the unutilized agricultural land of Botswana.
The Botswana side expressed keen interest in concluding the MoU on cooperation in agriculture and contract farming between Bangladesh and Botswana. Underlining the need for establishing contacts between the agricultural experts and producers of the two countries Mr. Fidelis M. Malao invited an agricultural expert delegation from Bangladesh to visit Botswana.
The State Minister also met with the academics of the Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the university campus on the same day (10 February). During the meeting, the university authority opined that both sides may exchange knowledge in horticulture, food security, nutrition, and veterinary areas. The State Minister mentioned the remarkable achievement of Bangladesh in the agriculture sector and proposed that cooperation may be forged between Bangladesh and Botswana agricultural institutes. Both sides agreed to sign an MoU on cooperation in agriculture and livestock areas and to exchange visits of agricultural experts.
The State Minister also joined an exchange of opinion meeting organized by the Bangladesh Association in Botswana in the evening on Friday (10 February 2023). The State Minister in his speech highlighted the tremendous achievements of Bangladesh under the able leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. He advised the Bangladesh community members to continue their valuable contribution to Bangladesh and Botswana as well.
The State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam is on a two-day official bilateral visit to Botswana. The State Minister was accompanied by the High Commissioner of Bangladesh to South Africa and officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.