Wednesday, June 7th, 2006
TDLC Receives Republic of Botswana President Festus Gontebanye Mogae
Opportunities Discussed for PPPs at Infrastructure Development Meeting
His Excellency President Festus G. Mogae (4th from left) and Minister of Minerals, Energy & Water Affairs C. Tibone (2nd from left), Minister of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism K. Mokaila (5th from left), Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation M.S. Merafhe (4th from right), Ambassador to Japan O. Motswagae (3rd from right). Other participants include moderator UNU Rector Hans van Ginkel (3rd from left), Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs Director General for Sub-Saharan African Affairs Yoichi Otabe (right), World Bank Tokyo Office Vice President Yukio Yoshimura (2nd from right) and TDLC Manager Ryu Fukui (left).
The TDLC received President Festus Gontebanye Mogae of the Republic of Botswana on June 7, 2006, on the occasion of the "Meeting on Infrastructure Development for Small Economies through Public Private Partnerships (PPP) - The Case of Botswana".
Jointly hosted by the Embassy of the Republic of Botswana and the World Bank Group with support from the United Nations University (UNU), the TDLC connected speakers from Pretoria, Johannesburg and Helsinki in addition to over 50 participants in Tokyo who joined the President for a productive roundtable discussion moderated by Dr. Hans van Ginkel, UNU Rector.
Participants in Tokyo included Botswana Minister of Foreign Affairs & International Cooperation M.S. Merafhe, Minister of Minerals, Energy & Water Affairs C. Tibone and Minister of Environment, Wildlife & Tourism K. Mokaila as well as other senior government officials. From Japan, senior officials from MOFA and MOF, representatives from the private sector and Japanese development agencies including JBIC and JICA gathered to present their views.
President Mogae opened the session by outlining his government's efforts to promote PPP type investments in infrastructure projects. "The Private Participation in Infrastructure program is still new to us and we wish to learn from those with long experience this afternoon" stated the President.
Discussions began with a presentation by Ms. Ritva Reinikka, World Bank Country Director, who spoke from Pretoria with representatives from Botswana. Ms.Reinikka touched on the economic achievements and challenges facing Botswana, and pointed out that the infrastructure situation in the country lags behind the typical level for middle income countries. She also identified specific areas suitable for PPP type investments, and concluded that unlike other countries in the region, Botswana is embarking upon private participation in infrastructure from its natural desire to diversify the economy, not as a solution to an economic, financial or political crisis.
Participants from Japan pointed to the need to take advantage of Botswana's competitive edge, and improve the environment to attract private investment. Building an airport and encouraging tourism, as well as industries which utilize air transport were suggested as strategic areas for development. JBIC representatives talked about loan conditions for Japanese companies interested in moving into Botswana.
Mr. Katsumi Hirano, Director, JETRO Johannesburg Center connected from Johannesburg, and Dr. Georges Mavrotos of the UNU World Institute for Development Economics Research also commented from Helsinki.
Dr. Ginkel summarized by noting that the meeting served to confirm many good opportunities, and stressed the significance of the role of government in promoting private investment. He also pointed to the effectiveness of highlighting the strategic importance of Botswana within the South African economy.
President Mogae expressed his appreciation for the suggestions and views presented at the meeting, and emphasized the importance of Japanese firms' participation in infrastructure development.
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