In an era when trade diversification is more important than ever, Canada is committed to facilitating business opportunities and expanding trade relations around the world, including with 1 of Canada's largest trading partners in sub-Saharan Africa, Bostwana.
Canada and Botswana have a long and prosperous relationship; Botswana is one of Canada's largest export markets and a key partner in sub-Saharan Africa.
The Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business and Economic Development, spoke today with Mmusi Kgafela, Botswana's Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry.
Ministers Ng and Kgafela discussed ways to continue strengthening bilateral relations, including with the virtual trade mission that Minister Ng launched in February this year to create opportunities for women-owned and -led businesses in the fields of renewable energy, and information and communications technology, particularly in Botswana.
In the coming year, both ministers noted, they are looking forward to continuing to work together on advancing responsible business practices and transparency in the mining sector. Minister Ng thanked Minister Kgafela for Botswana's role as chair of the Kimberley Process this year and reiterated that Russia's unjustifiable and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine must be addressed by the members of the Kimberly Process.
Minister Ng also spoke about growing commercial opportunities with Botswana in digital industries and infrastructure and referenced the Canadian Commercial Corporation and its role in helping Canadian exporters gain access to foreign government procurement markets.
The ministers commented on the growth in Canada and Botswana's bilateral commercial relations. They highlighted, for example, the recent announcement by Mississauga, Ontario-based Process Research Ortech and the Botswana Institute for Technology, Research and Innovation of their intention to sign a memorandum of understanding to bring partners to invest in a project for the extraction and processing of minerals for the development of batteries. Such collaboration further underscores Canada's global leadership on critical minerals and its interest in battery manufacturing.
Minister Ng emphasized that Canada is a strong innovator and producer of clean technology and climate solutions and is ready to meet Africa's needs. Canadian companies are well positioned to address global challenges and have the capacity to export their products and services while helping other countries and their economies address their commitments, including those related to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and net-zero emissions targets.
