Swiss President visits Botswana
Botswana is preparing for a two-day visit of the President of the Swiss Confederation, Switzerland, Alain Berset and his delegation comprising his wife Muriel Zeender Berset, senior government officials, and representatives of multinational Swiss companies.
The visit is the first that a President of the Swiss Confederation makes to Botswana and is also the second of such a visit in the Southern African region, following the one to South Africa some time back.
Switzerland has one of the world’s highest GDP per capita and a highly-skilled labour force. Its economy relies on financial services, precision manufacturing, metals, pharmaceuticals and chemicals.
The visit will enable Botswana to learn, as well as create an opportunity to open direct trade avenues with Switzerland’s well-established and developed companies. The visit is an outcome of the series of engagements that President Dr. Mokgweetsi Masisi has been having during his international travels.
In 2018, Masisi visited Geneva, Switzerland where he attended the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) World Investment Forum (WIF) where he met with the President of the Swiss Confederation, Heads of United Nations agencies based in Geneva and Members of the International Investment community.
It was reported then that Masisi promoted Botswana to Swiss businesses and encouraged them to see Botswana as an attractive destination and a base to do business and expand into Southern Africa.
Last year President Masisi made yet another trip to Geneva where he attended the World Health Assembly before flying to Davos for the World Economic Forum (WEF) which is attended strictly by invitation.
Reports reaching Botswana Guardian state that President Berset got interested in Botswana after his meeting with Masisi. As a former minister of health, he is said to be more impressed about the story on how Botswana’s team of Scientists led by Sikhulile Moyo discovered the Omicron variant of COVID-19 in October 2021.
The visit also aims to strengthen bilateral relations between Botswana and Switzerland. The two countries enjoy excellent relations having established diplomatic ties in 1967. During the visit, the Heads of State will discuss bilateral, regional and global issues of common interest. They will also explore possible areas for further collaboration such as in the health, finance, education, manufacturing, minerals and cultural sectors. Over the years,
Botswana and Switzerland have cooperated in a number of fields, including education, immigration, trade and investment. To further build on the existing relations, in May 2022, President Masisi, undertook a working visit to Switzerland.