On the morning of September 6, the Botswana Trade and Investment Forum, co-hosted by the Embassy of the Republic of Botswana in Beijing and Ansheng International, was successfully held in National Convention Center in Beijing, China. The forum aims to enrich the contents of the China International Fair for Trade in Services, publicize the concept of mutual benefit and win-win cooperation between China and Africa, promote exchanges and industrial connection between Chinese and Botswanan entrepreneurs, and create favorable conditions for Chinese enterprises to invest and do business in Botswana. 

Forum Site

As one of the important supporting activities of the China International Fair for Trade in Services in 2023, the forum attracted more than 100 guests and representatives from the Ministry of Commerce, overseas trade promotion agencies, local councils for the Promotion of International Trade, domestic and foreign associations, and domestic and foreign enterprises. H.E. Dr. Batlang Comma Serema, Ambassador of the Republic of Botswana to China, Councellor Michael Pitso, First Secretary Dr. Laone Pearl Selala and Emmanuel T Pheko, Attaché Nicolas L. Nkobedi, Military Attaché Mpaphi Kenosi, Chairperson of Ansheng International Yang Tingting and representatives from Xinhua News Agency, CGTN, Ifeng.com, People’s Daily, International Business Daily and other media attended the forum. The forum was chaired by Mr. Emmanuel T Pheko, First Secretary of the Embassy of the Republic of Botswana in Beijing.

H.E. Dr. Batlang Comma Serema, Ambassador of the Republic of Botswana to China

H.E. Dr. Batlang Comma Serema, Ambassador of the Republic of Botswana to China, said that Botswana values China as a long-term strategic cooperative partner and the two countries have maintained close ties on the basis of mutual respect and win-win cooperation. Botswana has an important strategic position as the location of the headquarters of the Southern African Development Community. His Excellency the Ambassador said that in the context of globalization, the Government has maintained macroeconomic stability with prudent budget policies, secured free economic market with simple tax incentive system, and is committed to becoming a major international investment destination and regional trade and exhibition center. It is hoped that more Chinese companies will invest in Botswana and that more Botswana companies will export to China.

Yang Tingting, Chairperson of Ansheng International

As the host of the forum, Ms. Yang Tingting, chairperson of Ansheng International, said in her speech that Ansheng International has been committed to the development of globalization for many years, as an international and comprehensive service trade platform enterprise, to enhance international economic and trade cooperation, cultural exchanges and mutual learning between China and foreign countries as its own responsibility. It has maintained close and friendly cooperative relations with governments of other countries, embassies in China and international organizations. With the deepening of the Belt and Road Initiative and international production capacity cooperation, Ansheng International hopes to actively participate in the investment and cooperation in various fields of Botswana, focusing on the multi-track promotion with Botswana in infrastructure construction projects, international trade, commodity procurement and national pavilion projects.

H.E. Dr. Batlang Comma Serema, Ambassador of the Republic of Botswana to China, presented Ansheng International with a certificate of appreciation

At the same time, within the framework of the 2023 China International Fair for Trade in Services, H.E. Dr. Batlang Comma Serema, Ambassador of the Republic of Botswana to China, hopes to establish a strategic partnership with Ansheng International through this forum, hoping to build a regular and efficient and pragmatic exchange platform between China and Botswana, and promote the cooperation and development of China and Botswana in various fields. His Excellency the Ambassador hopes to make full use of Ansheng International’s own advantages to work with entrepreneurs to understand, explore and invest in Botswana, and “go out” to escort the communication, project negotiation, coordination and implementation of the business community in Botswana and China, help projects to succeed and promote the realization of high-quality development of enterprises.

Diplomats sharing session on-site

(Top left-First Secretary Dr. Laone Pearl Selala;

Top right- First Secretary Emmanuel T Pheko)

Through keynote speeches, industry promotion and interactive exchanges, First Secretary Dr. Laone Pearl Selala, and First Secretary Mr. Emmanuel T Pheko, made a comprehensive and wonderful presentation of Botswana's national profile, trade and investment opportunities in various fields, as well as incentives and preferential policies formulated by the government.

Botswana Special Economic Zone presentation session

During the presentation session, the two diplomats discussed in depth how to promote business cooperation between Botswana and China in African economies, especially mentioning that within the framework of the Botswana Special Economic Development Zone, Botswana expects to establish partnerships in multiple sectors, formats, and industries with Chinese enterprises in the fields of agriculture, agro-processing, energy, infrastructure, tourism, manufacturing and other fields.

Q&As between diplomats and guests on-site

During the forum, guests had in-depth interactions with diplomats on strengthening the development synergy between the Belt and Road Initiative and Botswana, and enhancing people-to-people exchanges, trade, investment and tourism between China and Botswana. The atmosphere was friendly and interactive. The distinguished guests' wonderful speeches won warm applause from time to time. In the future, the governments of China and Botswana will take multiple measures in parallel to continuously promote win-win cooperation between enterprises of high-quality industries of the two countries through new channels, deepen cooperation in various fields, provide new opportunities, expand new areas and open up new prospects for the two countries, and push China-Botswana relations to a higher level.

Group Photos