Oleh/By : DATO' SERI DR. MAHATHIR BIN MOHAMAD
Tempat/Venue : GABORONE, THE REPUBLIC OF BOTSWANA
Tarikh/Date : 03/05/97
Tajuk/Title : THE BOTSWANA-MALAYSIA
BUSINESS MEETING
1. Let me begin by saying how happy I am to be here in
Gaborone today, to be among distinguished members of the
Botswana and Malaysian business and industrial
community. I thank the organisers, especially the
Botswana Confederation of Commerce, Industry and
Manpower (BOCCIM), for the initiative in organising this
meeting.
2. The meeting here today is opportune and marks an
important step towards closer relationship between
Botswana and Malaysia. I welcome this opportunity to
address the business communities of both our countries
as it provides an ideal platform for the meeting of
minds and exchange of ideas between our businessmen.
They have a critical role to play in forging and
enhancing bilateral relations between us. I believe
that increased interaction between our two countries,
through visits and meetings such as this, will further
strengthen economic relations and boost bilateral ties,
bringing closer the peoples of Botswana and Malaysia.
3. Given the present ease of transport and travel,
countries must constantly seek new partnerships and
linkages to remain competitive. We are much closer to
each other than before. Developing countries like
Botswana and Malaysia should take the opportunity to
forge mutually beneficial trade and business alliances
and accept new non-traditional partners consistent with
the realities of the current global economic
environments. History no longer stand in the way of us
making new friends, and learning from the experiences of
others in different parts of the world.
4. It is in the light of this that Malaysia seeks new
friends in Africa. Our common membership of the
Commonwealth and United Nations has fostered greater
understanding of each other's need and aspirations. For
many years we have been able to work together within
these organisations in the common search for a more
equitable and better world for our people. Now, the
time has come for our two countries to explore and
expand the scope of our cooperation into substantive
economic collaboration in particular that can yield
positive benefits for both our countries.
5. It is noteworthy that our two countries share many
things in common. Our countries have experienced a
period of British colonial rule which, upon
independence, had thrust upon us the huge responsibility
of forging a united nation out of diverse ethnic and
tribal groups and improving their economic well-being.
The task of creating wealth and distributing it fairly
while investing sensibly for the future has been the
greatest challenge for us.
6. We in Malaysia are encouraged by the economic and
fiscal reforms undertaken by the Government of Botswana.
I am made to understand that the ongoing economic
liberalisation and incentive schemes for foreign
investments and joint ventures have already laid the
foundation for increased growth in the key sectors of
the economy. These incentives and liberalisation
policies will surely create greater confidence among
foreign investors, who we believe can contribute towards
the economic growth of Botswana.
7. Malaysia's own experience of direct foreign
investment (FDI) has convinced us of the efficacy of FDI
as a method to jump-start an economy of a nation.
Foreign investments have provided jobs, foreign
exchange, transfer of technology, expanded our
industrial base and provided linkages between the
agricultural and industrial sectors. It has also
spawned the growth of medium and small-scale industries.
From these small beginnings Malaysia has grown into a
semi-industrialised nation which is able to invest in
other developing countries. Guided by this experience,
Malaysia has endeavoured to play a somewhat similar role
by cooperating with other developing nations in the
South like Botswana.
8. Malaysia understands the magnitude of the task
faced by the Botswana Government in developing this
nation. Therefore Malaysia hopes that its relationship
with Botswana should go beyond the area of business and
cater to the nation building needs of Botswana as well.
We are prepared to work together in other areas to
assist the Government in realising its socio-economic
objectives where we may be competent. Likewise
Malaysian businessmen here today could explore mutually
beneficial ventures that would bring more meaningful
benefits to our peoples.
9. Bilateral trade between Botswana and Malaysia has
been growing steadily, albeit slowly, from a mere
US$17,500 in 1992 to US$541,000 in 1996. The present
level of trade between our two countries is very low
compared with Botswana's and Malaysia's total global
trade. The bulk of Malaysia's exports to Botswana
comprised medicaments, including veterinary drugs and
medicines, followed by plastic articles, soap and
cleansing equipments. The value of imports from
Botswana for the said year was almost negligible, giving
a balance much in favour of Malaysia. If it is not
possible for Malaysia to import more from Botswana, we
would like to help you export more to other countries.
In the end it is the total balance of payments which
counts. It is impossible to balance trade with every
country.
10. Distance, as well as the fact that we know too
little about each other's potential and resources have
contributed toward the small size of our trade with each
other. Hence, we find that a narrow range of products
are currently being traded with little information on
market opportunities. But with this visit and this
meeting of the business people and Government officers
we should be able to improve on the current situation.
11. It is in this context that I have brought with me a
trade and investment delegation comprising leading
businessmen and entrepreneurs to establish contact and
interact with their counterparts here so as to expand
the scope of our bilateral relations. The Malaysian
businessmen accompanying me today are those who come
from sectors like banking, telecommunications, property,
development, mining, construction, power generation and
tourism. I am certain that arising from these
discussions, the business communities of both countries
can identify new areas of mutual interests for joint
cooperation.
12. Malaysia is modestly proud of its economic
development. Some have describe Malaysia's development
as a miracle. I can assure you that there is no miracle
at work. The development is due to hard work, very hard
work and accepting the facts of life, including of
course the fact that a country in political turmoil can
only regress, leaving nothing for anyone to celebrate.
We have therefore worked hard to instil common sense in
our people. These are the secrets of our success, and
obviously anyone can avail themselves of this simple
formula.
13. As Malaysia advances to realise its long term goal,
the stress on productivity and global competitiveness
becomes more urgent. To achieve this goal, Malaysia has
embarked on a concerted drive to enhance trade, economic
and commercial links with other newly emerging
economies. The Malaysian private sector has been very
supportive of this drive. They have established
business contacts and networks in many developing
countries in Africa, Latin America, and Asia which have
resulted in a greater flow of trade and investment.
14. Malaysia's job creation strategy has been so
successful that we are now short of workers. Hence,
Malaysian industries have been moving abroad in search
of resources and factors of production which are
abundant and competitively priced. These companies have
acquired experience in the development of export
processing zones and housing projects, the construction
of hotels, tourist resorts and highways, the provision
of telecommunication and television broadcasting
services, banking as well as the traditional area of
plantation management.
15. Exposure to the manufacturing industry by foreign
investor has helped us to start indigenous manufacturing
on our own. Apart from being the world's leading
producer and exporter of a range of manufactured
products such as rubber gloves, rubber threads, room air-
conditioners, semi-conductors and audio-visual
equipments, we are now manufacturing Malaysia's own
branded goods of world standards. They are
competitively priced and we should be able to supply
substitutes for the higher-priced products of the same
goods you are importing now.
16. It is also our experience that good infrastructure
is a necessary prerequisite for development. Malaysia
has extensive experience in infrastructure and rural
development. We believe that the Malaysian and Botswana
private sectors can complement each other in banking,
tourism and agro-related industries. I am also informed
that the mining industry in Botswana accounts for 88
percent of the country's exports and is endowed with
reserves of untapped minerals which have the potential
to contribute to its economic growth. Malaysian
investors could play a positive role in developing this
potential through joint ventures with their counterparts
in Botswana.
17. I understand that you have just concluded the
business meetings with your counterparts from Malaysia.
It is my sincere hope that the MOU's and business
ventures agreed to between Malaysian and Botswana
companies during the course of the business meetings
would serve as a model of good and lasting cooperation
between our two countries in the South.
18. There is considerable scope for bilateral
cooperation in the field of training. Malaysia's
Technical Cooperation Program (MTCP) provides short
courses in areas like economic planning, privatisation,
public administration, agriculture and environmental
protection. We hope Botswana will avail themselves of
these opportunities.
19. Given the present momentum of change, I am
confident that the Botswana economy will soon be able to
achieve sustained economic growth. The country's eighth
post-independence National Development Plan should see
Botswana firmly set on the path of economic
diversification. Malaysia on its part will urge its
private sector to work together with their Botswana
counterparts to achieve Botswana's national goals.
20. Finally, on behalf of my delegation, I would like
to express my deepest appreciation to His Excellency the
President, the Botswana Government and its people for
the warm hospitality and friendship extended to me and
members of my delegation.
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