Govt pays Synohydro to avert diplomatic row

The payment is for services in the construction of Sir Seretse Khama International Airport.  Information reaching Mmegi suggests that there was general fear in the high offices that the matter did not only put the project in danger of being left incomplete for many years, but also posed a serious threat to diplomatic relations between Botswana and China. 

The latter sponsors many projects in the country, has granted Botswana soft loans to be repaid in the next five to 15 years with very low interest rates.