GABORONE, March 27 (Xinhua) -- A United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) delegation is now in Botswana to discuss the country's economic transformation, Foreign Ministry of Botswana said Wednesday.
UNCTAD Secretary General Mukhisa Kituyi is visiting Botswana from Wednesday to Saturday, accompanied by a group of experts from the international development policy sphere who will engage with Botswana's cabinet members.
"The discussions will focus on the strategies that need to be put in place to transform Botswana from a resource-based to a knowledge-based economy," said Unity Dow, Botswana's international affairs and cooperation minister, told Xinhua in a telephone interview.
Available information suggested that since gaining independence, Botswana's economic record has been built on the foundation of diamond mining.
Furthermore, it is estimated that Botswana has the fourth highest gross national income at purchasing power parity in Africa, giving it a standard of living around that of Mexico and Turkey.
Although Botswana's economy is considered a model for countries in the region, its heavy dependence on mining and its high rate of HIV/AIDS infection (one in every three adults is seropositive) and unemployment could threaten its success in the future.
Botswanan President Mokgweetsi Masisi extended an invitation last year to the UNCTAD during the World Investment Forum held in Geneva, Switzerland.
UNCTAD was established by the United Nations in 1964 to deal with trade, investment and other developmental issues.
The overarching aim of the organization is to strengthen trade, investment and developmental opportunities in developing countries and assists them in their efforts to integrate into the world economy.
