Oleh/By : DATO' SERI DR. MAHATHIR BIN MOHAMAD
Tempat/Venue : THE REPUBLIC OF BOTSWANA
Tarikh/Date : 03/05/97
Tajuk/Title : THE STATE BANQUET ON THE OCCASION
OF THE OFFICIAL VISIT TO THE
REPUBLIC OF BOTSWANA
1. I would like to express my sincere thanks for the
very warm welcome extended to my wife and I and to the
members of my delegation. Since our arrival in Gaborone
this morning we truly feel very much at home. My wife
and I are delighted to be in Botswana on this first
official visit.
2. We are impressed by the Botswana government's
commitment and state of preparedness for the First
International Dialogue - Smart Partnership for the
Generation of Wealth in Southern Africa which begins in
Kasane tomorrow. Mindful of this important event, we are
particularly grateful that Botswana has extended to us a
warm welcome and generous hospitality.
3. I recall the discussions we had during our previous
meeting both in Malaysia and elsewhere and have been
looking forward to continuing those discussions. This
visit also provides me with an opportunity to get to know
your beautiful country and people. I hope these
discussions will enable our two countries to develop
closer relations, particularly by fostering closer
economic, trade and investment cooperation.
4. The exchange of high level visits between our two
countries has contributed to an atmosphere of mutual
goodwill and understanding. It is essential that the
momentum generated by these visits is sustained so that
they lead to greater cooperation in the fields of
economic development.
5. On our part, Malaysia is ready to extend whatever
cooperation within its means to further strengthen the
political and economic linkages between our two
countries. Beyond these areas there is considerable scope
for cooperation in science, education and information
technology. I am pleased that a total of 25 Botswanan
officials have availed themselves of the various courses
provided under the Malaysian Technical Cooperation
Programme.
6. Our two countries have been commended for the
remarkable efforts made towards the upliftment of the
livelihood of our peoples. In this regard, I am highly
impressed by Botswana's effort to develop the country and
it is an enviable example of a home-grown economy. The
channelling of mining revenue to other sectors, such as
agriculture, infrastructure development, manufacturing
and tourism has brought about important restructuring of
the economy. These steps would also contribute to the
globalisation of Botswana's economy.
7. The offer of loans by the Botswana Government to
would-be investors also reflects an open approach towards
foreign investment. This would be crucial in meeting the
need for investments in the economy.
8. In the regional context, we are encouraged by the
role that Botswana is playing in the growing integration
of the Southern African Region through its participation
in the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
The peace and stability and the mutual confidence that
exists in the region augurs well for the economic well-
being of the peoples of this region. In this regard,
Malaysia welcomes greater inter-regional linkages between
Southern Africa and Southeast Asia. These links will
help the two regions to consolidate economic, trade and
investment cooperation. This is indeed in keeping with
our shared commitment towards realising the full
potential of South-South Cooperation.
9. Since Your Excellency's visit to Malaysia, there
have been exchanges of visits by members of the private
sectors of our two countries. We hope that these
exchanges will continue. A number of prominent Malaysian
businessmen, known for their pioneering spirit, and
commitment are in my delegation. They would be meeting
their counterparts over the next few days. Their
meetings and discussions should help them to explore and
identify new areas of cooperation for our mutual benefit.
I am told, investment opportunities exist for cooperation
and joint ventures in such areas as construction,
tourism, mining and financial services. Indeed, the way
forward is through partnership between local companies
with their foreign counterparts.
10. Your Excellency's participation at the Langkawi
International Dialogue in 1996 together with other Heads
of State/Government from the Southern African region has
inspired a similar conference for this region. The
Southern Africa International Dialogue - Smart
Partnership for the Generation of Wealth in Southern
Africa is an important initiative in fostering open
regionalism. Countries in Southern Africa have been
successful in their liberation struggle, and Malaysia is
confident that they will similarly succeed in regional
integration. I therefore wish to congratulate the
Botswana Government on its vision in initiating this
dialogue process.
11. The countries of the Southeast Asian region have
been committed to regionalism for the past 30 years. Our
membership of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations
(ASEAN) has brought about peace and an environment
conducive to rapid economic development. We trust that
the Dialogue which begins in Kasane tomorrow would bring
positive benefit to the SADC members and usher a period
of active regionalism.
12. The real test of a country's commitment to
regionalism will be its willingness to lead by example,
and to open up to its neighbours and countries beyond. I
am optimistic that Botswana, with its enlightened
policies and initiatives, will move this process of
construction and conciliation forward.
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