By IANS,
Mumbai : Underlining the economic theme of his visit, Botswana’s Vice President Mompati Merafhe inaugurated the office of his southern African country’s investment and export authority here Friday.
“This is a clear demonstration of the excellent relations that Botswana enjoys with India, which are underpinned by mutual commitment to democracy, transparency and accountability,” Merafhe said on the occasion of the inauguration of Botswana Export Development and Investment Authority (Bedia).
Bedia is mandated with promoting investment into the African nation and the Mumbai office is intended to serve as a one-stop-reference centre for investors looking to do business in/with Botswana.
The Botswana leader added that since its inception in 1998, Bedia has been a pioneer in the investment arena and carved a niche for itself in the world business arena by promoting competitive financial service opportunities enabling identify partners in and outside Botswana for business partnerships.
Merafhe is on a four-day visit to India. He arrived in Mumbai Friday morning, after meeting with Indian leaders in New Delhi, during which two agreements on small, medium and micro enterprises, and science and technology were signed Thursday night.
Merafhe Wednesday witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding between National Small Industries Corporation of India and Local Enterprise Authority of Botswana.
After arrival in Mumbai, the visiting leader had a meeting with select captains of industry in the morning.
The Botswana vice president had lunch with the Maharashtra Governor, K. Sankaranarayanan.
On Saturday, Merafhe will be meeting with members of Indian film fraternity, hoping to woo them to take advantage of Botswana’s beautiful environs.
He will end his official engagements in India with a visit to the Mumbai-based Shrenuj diamond processing factory.