Botswana seeks investments and business opportunities in Israel

A high-level delegation from Botswana has visited Israel as part of efforts to further investments and business opportunities between the two countries, marking the second high-level visit from Botswana in less than a month.

Botswana, well known in Israel for its diamond sector, has expressed concerns for a number of years over its depleting diamond supplies and is seeking to diversify its economy into areas such as agro-technology, alternative energies, health equipment and pharmaceuticals.

"We are aware that Israel, though similar in size to Botswana, has an expertise in technology, innovation, manufacturing and more," explained the Honourable Maxwell Motowane, Botswana's Assistant Minister of Trade and Industry.

Moti Ganz, Chairman of the Israel Diamond Institute, who owns a diamond manufacturing plant in Botswana, spoke on behalf of the 5 Israeli DTC sightholders who are manufacturing in the country. Ranking his five years of experience in the country as 'ten out of ten', Ganz commented that, "We have gained far more than we anticipated by investing in Botswana. There is a positive atmosphere there and good people. I am sure that all investors from Israel will benefit from being there."

Jacob Nkate, Chief Executive Officer of the Botswana Export Development and Investment Authority (BEDIA), spoke of the country's efforts to diversify from diamond production. "Our dream and aspiration is to move into jewelry manufacturing," he explained.