H. E. Ms Lesego Ethel Motsumi, High Commissioner of the Republic of Botswana to India

Please talk us through some of the high-level visits that have taken place between India and Botswana in the last four years…

India and Botswana have exchanged a number of High-Level visits in order to advance the strategic interests of both countries. The visits included business promotion missions, political and cultural exchanges amongst others. Recently, we had a visit by Honourable Shri Jual Oram, Minister of Tribal Affairs, India to Botswana in August 2016. In 2015, the Vice President of Botswana, His Honour Mr. Mokgweetsi Masisi led a delegation to the 3rd India-Africa Forum Summit hosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi. The Assistant Minister of Presidential Affairs and Public Administration Hon. Phillip Makgalemele visited the Barefoot College in Tilonia village in the state of Rajasthan, India in February 2015. The Assistant Minister of Trade and Industry, Hon. Sadique Kebonang, led a delegation to Chennai, India in February 2015, to benchmark on the proposed setting up of a Leather Park in Lobatse.

What is the presence of Indian businesses like in Botswana?

Botswana has an open market policy. Anybody is allowed to do business in the country. There are a number of Indian businesses operating in Botswana in different scales, from small medium to large enterprises. There are over 10,000 people of Indian origin in Botswana who form the fabric of our cosmopolitan life. Most Indian businesses are in mining, finance, retailing, agriculture, farm implements and many other business concerns. There are also business opportunities in the tourism sector (http://www.botswanatourism.co.bw/) which remains untapped.