Double Taxation and Avoidance Agreement between Botswana, UAE bears fruit

Botswana proposed and signed the Double Taxation and Avoidance Agreement (DTTA) with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Kuwait in 2018 and enforced it in 2021.However, Kuwait has expressed a lack of readiness to enter into such an agreement at the moment.Speaking to Botswana Guardian in an exclusive interview, Acting Ambassador to Kuwait, Amangwe Madisakwana, said that, however, there are major milestones achieved since the signing of the DTTA with the UAE.These include the conclusion of Investment Promotion and Protection Agreements (IPPAs) with some Gulf countries, and the accreditation of Botswana beef, among others.Madisakwana said on the facilitation of securing petroleum products for Botswana Oil Limited (BOL), following negotiations with the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), negotiations were concluded in February 2025, and trading started thereafter. This was with a view to securing the security of supply for the country.He explained that accreditation of Botswana Beef into the state of Qatar in August 2025 means Botswana has met the necessary halal and phytosanitary requirements for the export of beef into the State of Qatar.This development follows a similar process of Accreditation and Listing of Botswana beef into the UAE in September 2023.This development also means Botswana has met the two-country requirement to export its beef into the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), although there are individual country requirements that need to be met before any export processes are done.The export of beef is unfortunately the mandate of the Botswana Meat Commission (BMC) and its buyers.Accordingly, the Embassy wishes to request the Ministry of International Relations, Trade, and other players to engage the BMC, with a view to requesting the Commission to consider a different pricing strategy for the Gulf, so that Botswana’s beef can penetrate the market and establish its presence.The Embassy would also appreciate it if the information on the accreditation could be widely shared with media houses to encourage Batswana to improve their farming practices and improve the national herd to meet contractual obligations.On Medicine from the UAE, he said the UAE has donated various types of assistance to many other countries in need, regionally and abroad, such as Malawi, Mozambique, and Haiti, among others, during their time of need.Accordingly, Botswana requested support from its partners and friends, hence the reciprocal support from the UAE. The Ministry of International Relations and its Embassies is charged with the responsibility of facilitating all government agencies in advancing Botswana’s interests, including its citizens, at home and abroad.To this end, the Embassy in Kuwait was instrumental in this development to engage the UAE in the medical sourcing.Regarding employment opportunities for Botswana firefighters (Confined Space Rescuer, Hazardous Materials Rescue, Rope Rescue), a study was done in May 2025.He explained that these opportunities are available for everyone, and if Botswana takes time to respond, other countries will move swiftly and take them up.Regrettably, despite these low-hanging opportunities, some entities (Ministries) in Botswana continue to respond at a very frustrating and discouraging pace."We therefore, appeal to our line Ministries to treat job offers with the urgent vigour they deserve."He explained that the Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) with Saudi Arabia was signed in September 2025. Saudi Arabia is a Regional powerhouse, and therefore, it is only opportune for Botswana to position its interests to benefit from the expansion of Saudi Arabia's new airline, which has expressed interest in flights to Botswana.On the signing of Political Consultations with the State of Kuwait, September 2025. He said Botswana and the State of Kuwait formally established Diplomatic Relations in 1996.Discussions in the consultations address accelerating cooperation across vital sectors, particularly trade and investment. Political consultations involve advising on strategies, approaches, andcommunications in dealings with foreign entities.For governments, diplomatic consultations are invaluable in helping leaders assess the impact of international policies, navigate geopolitical dynamics, and negotiate agreements with other countries.Madisakwana explained that efforts to promote tourism are an ongoing exercise and continue to bear fruit. Marketing of tourism is done in both Arabic and English, mostly through online platformsdue to their greater reach.In August 2025, a high-level Kuwait International Working Group of about 30 officials visited Botswana in Kasane as part of the broader SADC tour of Botswana, Eswatini, South Africa, andZimbabwe. Before this, the Saudi Arabian high family was facilitated, and visited the Okavango Delta in July 2025. This is over and above individual and small group visits.Participation in various Tourism expos has also assisted in marketing Destination Botswana, despite resource constraints.Gazetting of Registration and Polling stations in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) and Doha (State of Qatar) by Botswana’s Embassy in 2024 enabled Batswana to vote in these two countries for the first time."Botswana only has one representational office in the Middle East (Gulf Region), and this, therefore, means that previously only nationals in Kuwait could cast their votes."The combined total population of Batswana in Doha and Dubai is slightly over 250, with the UAE at over 200, and the balance in Doha.

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Double Taxation and Avoidance Agreement between Botswana, UAE bears fruit