The Embassy of Botswana in Washington DC marked the 37th year of independence of Botswana by hosting a reception at which well over 150 dignitaries and Batswana living in the US attended.

The celebration was marked by a show of video pictures about Botswana’s culture, tourism and industry. In his address, the Ambassador H.E Lapologang Lekoa spoke about the journey the country started 37 yeas ago. This journey according to the Ambassador “still continues” and it is imbued with modest economic growth stemming from political tolerance and prudent economic management. He also said that this environment was however, tempered by both internal and external factors such as the HIV/AIDS, modest inflow of foreign direct investment and the need for the North to open markets to the South.

He thanked the US Government for affording the least developed countries the opportunities to access the US markets through Agoa, and expressed the hope that the 3rd country fabric benefit extended to the least developed countries will be extended beyond 2004. He also thanked the cooperating partners for their assistance in efforts aimed at combating the HIV/AIDS scourge, which is currently a major pre-occupation of the international community.

Full copy of the Ambassador speech