Daily News does not publish on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. Please email your comments to DailyNews@gov.bw

From 6 July 2006, a graphic version of the current edition is available at the Daily News Online web site.

Archive by year

Speaking at a lunch he hosted for his visiting Madagascar counterpart Roger Rafananomenzantsoa in Gaborone, Moroka said both countries had much in common.

Moroka said the two were developing nations and net importers of goods and services, and that both had one commodity to sustain their economies.

He said the visit was welcome in that both countries would discuss possible trade links and opportunities that our businessmen can take.

Moroka said government was determined to diversify the economy away from reliance on diamonds, which he described as a journey and not an event.

Steps had already been taken to introduce public sector reforms aimed at enhancing service delivery.

We have established autonomous bodies such as the Botswana Export Development and Investment Authority, which is the focal point for investment and export promotion activities, he said.

There is also Local Enterprise Authority which is responsible for the development and mentoring of small, micro and medium scale enterprises and the Botswana Bureau of Standards whose mandate is to certify the quality and standard of goods and services manufactured in Botswana.

He said Botswana and Madagascar had an immense potential in tourism and the SADC Trade Protocol encouraged intra-trading among member states.

He said he had learnt that in Madagascar, agriculture including fisheries accounted for 34 per cent of the countrys GDP.

In response, Rafananomenzantsoa said his visit was meant to secure Madagascars position in the regional grouping.

Archive by year