Oman and Botswana Sign 9 Agreements to Expand Cooperation in Energy, Mining and Investment

Oman, Botswana Sign Nine MoUs During HM Sultan Haitham’s State Visit

Gaborone:  The Sultanate of Oman and the Republic of Botswana signed nine memoranda of understanding and agreements during the state visit of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik to Botswana, aimed at strengthening cooperation and partnership between the two countries and serving their common interests.

The agreements cover a number of areas, including general cooperation, political consultations, visa exemptions for holders of diplomatic and special passports, air services, investment promotion, pharmaceutical security and supply, regulatory cooperation, mineral exploration, energy security and regional energy development.

The agreements also included a memorandum of understanding between the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI) and Business Botswana, which represents the business community and employers’ organisations in the country.

On the Omani side, the agreements were signed by Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi, Foreign Minister; Anwar bin Hilal Al Jabri, Minister of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion; Mustafa bin Mohammed Al Hinai, CEO of O-Green; Eng. Matar bin Salem Al Badi, CEO of Oman Mining Development Company; and Mohammed bin Abdul Rahman Al Balushi of Wethaq Group.

On the Botswana side, they were signed by Dr. Phenyo Butale, Minister of International Relations; Keoagile Atamelang, Minister of Transport and Infrastructure; Dr. New Tapila, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Health; Dr. Bogolo Joy Kenewendo, Undersecretary of Energy and Minerals; Tommy Mbakane, CEO of Business Botswana; and Cisco Mashabele, CEO of Botswana Mining Exploration Investment Company.

Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi, Foreign Minister, affirmed Oman’s determination to continue strengthening relations with Botswana and expressed hope that the signed agreements would be fully implemented to deliver tangible benefits to the peoples of the two countries.

He stressed the importance of building close relations based on mutual trust and respect.

Abdulsalam bin Mohammed Al Murshidi, President of the Oman Investment Authority, said the state visit of His Majesty Sultan Haitham to Botswana represents a significant milestone in relations between the two countries and is expected to support the expansion of partnerships and cooperation.

He noted the progress made in projects and investments between Oman and Botswana and said the leaders of the two countries had directed field teams to accelerate efforts to expand cooperation into additional sectors.

Dr. Phenyo Butale, Minister of International Relations of Botswana, described His Majesty the Sultan’s visit as historic and said bilateral relations had developed rapidly, with tangible outcomes including the solar power project in the Maun region.

He said the agreements would facilitate cooperation and support investment in priority sectors, including mining, energy, tourism and agriculture.

David Kgoboko, CEO of Botswana Power Corporation, said Botswana and Oman are advancing cooperation in the energy sector and that significant opportunities exist for electricity exports to countries in the region following the expected increase in energy generation from projects being developed in cooperation with Oman.

Mustafa bin Mohammed Al Hinai, CEO of O-Green, said Oman is seeking to strengthen investment in infrastructure and energy projects. He noted that following the renewable energy project currently under construction in Botswana, an agreement was signed concerning energy security and the potential transmission of energy generated by O-Green projects in Botswana to neighbouring countries.