How Botswana-China cooperation can benefit from FOCAC 2021

FOCAC is a cooperative platform established by China and friendly African countries for collective consultation, dialogue and cooperation mechanism between the developing countries which falls into the category of South-South cooperation.

The main idea behind FOCAC is centered on ethos of pragmatic cooperation with the purpose of strengthening consultation and expanding cooperation characterised by the promotion of political dialogue, economic cooperation and trade. The theme for the just ended Dakar FOCAC meeting was 'Deepening China-Africa Partnership and Promoting Sustainable Development to Build a China- Africa Community with a Shared Future in the New Era'. There were some key points that were raised by the President of China during his keynote address which I am of a strong view that Botswana, which has enjoyed diplomatic relations with China since 1975 and continues to enjoy strong trade relations with China, has the potential to make some gains.