The trade dispute between Botswana and South Africa seems to be escalating. South Africa, through the Western Cape department, has stated that it intends to hold talks with role players in private sector within Botswana’s agriculture industry as part of interventions on import bans by Botswana.
Initially, it was only the South African private sector which has spoken out about the decision by Botswana and Namibia to close their borders to some of vegetable imports from South Africa. Now, the Western Cape Province has waded into the issue and is recommending that instead of dealing with the issue at national level or through diplomatic channels, other options or interventions should be explored.
Daniel Johnson, the spokesperson for Western Cape Provincial Minister for Agriculture, Ivan Meyer, indicated that better coordination and collaboration can speed up the process of resolving Botswana and Namibia’s ban on South African vegetable exports.
Source: weekendpost.co.bw
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