An official high level delegation from Botswana led by Assistant Minister of Trade and Industry, Hon. Maxwell Motowane is visiting Israel to encourage Israeli companies to invest in the country. The visit, follows a previous visit by the Foreign Minister last month, and voices Botswana government’s decision to encourage Israeli companies to invest in the country in water and agro-technology, infrastructure, HLS, alternative energies, health equipment and pharmaceuticals, communications and IT, and diamonds.

Jacob Nkate, Chief Executive Officer of the Botswana Development and Investment Authority (BEDIA) said that Botswana wants to diversify its economy away from a dependence on diamonds and mining, as diamonds and other natural resources will deplete in the future.

Assistant Minister Motowane said, “We would like Israeli companies to bring their know-how and technology and to set up partnerships in Botswana.

Nkate noted that five Israeli companies have established diamond polishing facilities in Botswana and is keen to see further diversification in the diamond sector, including jewelry manufacturing.

Moti Ganz, Chairman of the Israel Diamond Institute (IDI), said that the Israeli companies had been in Botswana for five years and that they have gained more than they expected out of the investment. Ganz ranked his experience in the country as “ten out of ten” and added that all investors would enjoy doing business in Botswana.