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The bilateral relationship but warm but not substantial. Contact between New Zealand and Botswana takes place mostly in multilateral fora, particularly the Commonwealth where the two countries have enjoyed a constructive and friendly relationship. Botswana views New Zealand as an example of a small country that has implemented wide ranging public sector reforms, and has sent a number of delegations to New Zealand to study the reform process. There has also been particular interest from Botswana in sending students to New Zealand Universities at graduate level. Bilateral trade is minimal, totalling around $20,000 in the year to June 2007.
Land Area - 581,730 sq km Population - 1.8 million (2006 EIU estimate) - Capital City - Gaborone - Language - Setswana and English - Religion - Animism, Christianity, Islam, Bahá’í
Political system - Unitary republic - National government - President Ian Khama, Vice-president Mompati Merafhe - National legislature - National Assembly consisting of 40 members elected by universal suffrage, the President, the Attorney-General and four members appointed by the President. A 15-member House of Chiefs advises on tribal matters - Last election - October 2004 (legislative) - Next election due - October 2009 (legislative) - Head of State - President Khama, chosen by the National Assembly - Head of Government - President Khama
GDP - US$11.2bn (EIU estimate, 2006) - Real GDP growth - 5.2% (EIU estimate, 2007) - Exports - US$5b (2007 actual) - Imports - US$3.4b (2007 actual) - Main exports (2006) - Diamonds 74.5%, copper & nickel 14.2% - Current account balance - US$1.9b (2007 actual) - Gross external debt - US$408m (2007 EIU estimate)
NZ Exports (FOB) - NZ$19,752 (year ending June 2007) - Main Exports - Plastic material (48%); ores and concentrates (23%); printed books (12%) - NZ Imports (CIF) - NZ$778 (year ending June 2007).
As Botswana is now identified as a middle income country, Botswana is not part of NZAID’s bilateral regional programme to Africa. Students from Botswana, however, are eligible to apply for a New Zealand Commonwealth Scholarship. There is a relatively large expatriate New Zealand community in Botswana, who are actively involved in helping implement development projects. The New Zealand High Commission in Pretoria, cross accredited to Botswana also undertake small projects under the Head of Mission Fund from time to time.
In 2000 New Zealand received a visit from a science and technology delegation, including Assistant Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Mr Sebetlela. In 2001 the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Mr Matthies Chakalisa attended the 13th Commonwealth Health Ministers’ Meeting. There were also visit from officials from the Office of Public Service Management, the National Productivity Centre, the Ministry of Agriculture, and the Ministry of Works, Transport and Telecommunications to study public sector reform.
In 2002, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Mr Phil Goff visited Botswana as part of a wider southern Africa visit to Mozambique and South Africa. Mr Goff met with President Mogae and Foreign Minister Mompate Merafe. In 2004, the Minister of Education, Mr Kgeledi George Kgoroba, visited New Zealand. In December 2006 the New Zealand Minister of Education, Hon Steve Maharey, visited Botswana where he met with the Foreign Minister Lt Gen Mompati Merafhe and the Minister of Education, Jacob Nkate. In July 2007 the Botswana Minister of Agriculture, Hon Johnie Swartz, visited New Zealand at the invitation of the New Zealand Minister of Agriculture, Hon Jim Anderton.
The Safetravel website provides a travel advisory for travellers to Botswana [external link].
