Gaborone - Botswana has reiterated its interest in connecting with Angola via fiber optic landline, as it happens in the case of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Zambia.
According to an official note sent to ANGOP Saturday, in Gaborone, the Botswana government also expressed interest in receiving satellite ANGOSAT 2 services provision from Angola.
The note adds that the desire was expressed by the Botswana minister of Transport and Telecommunications, Thulagano Segokgo, in a meeting with his Angolan counterpart, Mário Augusto da Silveira Oliveira.
The meeting between the two leaders was part of the state visit of the President of the Republic, João Lourenço.
Mário de Oliveira discussed with his Botswana counterpart the possibility of establishing agreements in telecommunications and information technologies.
Mário de Oliveira replied that Angola is available for this partnership with Botswana, revealing that a delegation of Angolan technicians will travel to Gaborone to work on the matter.
Minister Mário de Oliveira also held a working meeting with the rector of the University of Botswana.
Bilateral Cooperation
Angola and Botswana established diplomatic relations on February 18, 1976.
In February 2006, the two countries signed a General Cooperation Agreement.
Areas of cooperation
Angola and Botswana relations are mainly focused on diamond, education, health and the environment.
Botswana is a major producer of diamonds worldwide and Angola seeks the expertise of this SADC member country in mining and diamonds polishing.
Currently, Botswana's diamond production accounts for about 60 percent of its exports.
On average, 26 million carats were produced per year between 2002 and 2016, making Botswana the world's second largest diamond producer after Russia.
Another important source of income for Botswana is ecotourism. Botswana has the largest concentration of elephants in the world (over 50,000).
The country covers 581,000 square kilometres, 17 percent of which is reserved for national parks. It also has immense virgin savannahs.
Located in southern Africa, Botswana is landlocked and bordered to the north by Zambia, to the east by Zimbabwe, to the south by South Africa, and to the west and north-west by Namibia.
Regional Integration
Angola and Botswana are members of the SADC community and part of the Okavango/Zambeze project, which also includes Namibia, Zimbabwe and Zambia, covering a total of 278,000 square kilometres.
The Okavango Basin is a region rich in biodiversity, with more than 400 species of birds, mammals and other animals typical of African fauna.
Angola has the second largest portion of the project, with 87,000 square kilometres, behind Zambia, with 97,000 square kilometres of land.
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