Surat & Botswana Forge Twin City Ties: Trade, Tech & Diamond Cooperation

Surat | Gujarat —  The Southern Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SGCCI) has given a twin city proposal for Surat and Gabarone in Botswana in the areas of urban development, technology and talent exchange, medical tourism, exchange programmes for education and students and regular exchange of business delegations and exhibitions were discussed.

A business delegation of industrialists from Surat under the auspices of SGCCI visited Gaborone, the capital of the Republic of Botswana, from November 10 to November 14. The visit of this business delegation was held during the visit of the President of India, Draupadi Murmuji, to Botswana.

The SGCCI delegation presented issues such as long-term business visa, single window system, land allotment for Indian investors, 100% FDI in mining, finance and technology. Along with this, the Botswana President and the Cabinet were invited to the SGCCI Global Village 2026 to be held by the Chamber of Commerce in Surat from 24th to 26th January, 2026.

The Botswana President appreciated the various activities of the SGCCI and the efforts and leadership made for the development of business and industry in South Gujarat. He supported cooperation in the stock exchange and fintech sector. He encouraged Gujarati industrialists to explore tourism opportunities in Botswana. He assured the safety and security of Indian investors and described India as a long-term development partner. In addition, he appreciated the Chamber’s commitment to Botswana.

The business delegation included Nikhil Madrasi, President SGCCI, Brijesh Dholakia of Hare Krishna Group, Dr. Farooq Patel of KP Group, Robby Rajshekharam of KPI Green Hydrogen, Darshak Narola of Shree Ramakrishna Exports, Hitesh Shah of Venus Jewels, Jayanti Savaliya and Rajat Wani of Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC), Gurmeet Singh Mann and Rakesh Shah of Taranjyot Energy, Dinesh Dhankani of Liberty Group and Reighan Fashions Pvt. Ltd., Milan Parikh of Jainam Shares, Deepak Sheta of Apple Lifestyle Industries Ltd., Krunal Mehta of Mehta Wealth and Fenil Patel of Rayzon Solar.

The Chamber of Commerce delegation was welcomed by Indian industry leaders in Botswana and held meetings with local business authorities. The meeting was organized by Ashit Mehta, Chairman of Blue Star Group, Botswana. The meeting with local industry leaders discussed in detail the economic and business environment of Botswana, its business culture and the prospects for bilateral cooperation and investment in various sectors.

On November 11, 2025, a delegation of the Chamber of Commerce held an important meeting with the Botswana Investment and Trade Centre (BITC), in which the Executive Director of (BITC), Tranklinah Gabonthone, and senior department heads of various sectors of BITC were present. The Executive Director of (BITC) stated that BITC will act as the main contact point for business-related investments of the members of the Chamber of Commerce. The meeting highlighted the vast opportunities for investment and cooperation in the areas of diamond and mineral processing, mining (coal, copper, soda ash), power generation (solar, biofuel) and railway infrastructure development.

A meeting was held by a delegation of the Chamber of Commerce with the Botswana Ministry of Minerals and Energy, in which senior advisors from the Ministry of Minerals and Energy were present. The meeting mainly invited Surat entrepreneurs for active participation in the expansion of Botswana’s mining sector.

A meeting was held with the Non-Bank Financial Institutions Regulatory Authority (NBFIRA), in which the Authority’s Chief Executive Officer Verili Molatedi and Director of Capital Markets Juliana White were present.

The Chamber’s business delegation was briefed on the regulatory framework for non-banking financial institutions in Botswana, the operating framework of the Botswana Stock Exchange and its policies. Interest rates for loans and deposits for business investment, new opportunities in the FinTech sector and real-time transaction systems were discussed.

The President of the Chamber of Commerce, Nikhil Madrasi, presented in detail the Chamber’s vision to further strengthen bilateral trade between India and Botswana. He particularly emphasized on enhancing cooperation for ease of doing business, partnerships in the diamond industry, textile sector and renewable energy sectors, security and credibility of trade and investment.

The Chamber delegation held high-level meetings with officials of key institutions associated with the diamond industry in Botswana, such as Okavango Diamond Company (ODC), KGK Diamonds and Kimberley Process. The meetings discussed cooperation in diamond trading and its expansion, certification processes, skill development exchange programmes, including training between India and Botswana, joint possibilities to further strengthen the India-Botswana diamond value chain. These meetings encouraged deeper cooperation and new opportunities in the diamond sector between the two countries.

A grand state reception was hosted by the President of Botswana, Advocate Duma Gideon Boko, in honour of President of India, Draupadi Murmuji. The event was coordinated with her official national visit to Botswana. The Chamber of Commerce delegation was specially invited to this prestigious event.

The President of Botswana, Advocate Duma Gideon Boko, extended a warm welcome to the Hon. President of India, Smt. Draupadi Murmuji and expressed Botswana’s commitment to further strengthen the India-Botswana bilateral partnership. President Boko gave detailed information about the country’s priorities on Botswana’s economic transformation and made a significant announcement that Botswana would gift 8 cheetahs to India, which would be considered a symbol of the growing friendship between the two nations.

He further expressed the hope that this heartwarming gesture would attract more Indian tourists to Botswana so that they could experience the unique wildlife heritage and natural beauty of the country.

Pesident Draupadi Murmuji expressed her heartfelt gratitude for the generous gift from the Government of Botswana. She reaffirmed India’s commitment to further strengthen multi-sectoral cooperation between India and Botswana. She appreciated Botswana’s progress and extended full support to India in further enhancing cooperation in priority areas.

Bilateral cooperation in areas such as trade and investment, renewable energy, digital public infrastructure, agriculture and food processing, healthcare and pharmaceuticals, skill development and capacity building, defence, mining and cyber security was discussed in detail. Botswana expressed special interest in India’s digital public infrastructure model.

A meeting was held with the Chamber delegation at the Office of the President of Botswana on 13th November, 2025, in which the President Advocate Duma Gideon Boko and the Minister of Trade and Industry, Principal Secretary to the President, Botswana High Commissioner to India, CEO of BITC were present. The President of the Chamber, Nikhil Madrasi, expressed special gratitude for the excellent hospitality and coordinated planning provided by the Government of Botswana. He appreciated the 4-hour historic economic guidance presented by the President in Parliament on 10th November.

The President of India, Draupadi Murmuji addressed the Indian Diaspora living in Botswana at the Indian Community Meeting organized by the High Commission of India, Gaborone. On this occasion, the Chamber delegation held direct discussions with the Union Minister of State for Railways and Jal Shakti,  V. Somanna, MP Parbhubhai Vasava, MP  D.K. Aruna and senior officials of India and Botswana.

On 14th November, 2025, a meeting was held with the Indian business community of Botswana, in which B2B discussions were held with key Indian origin industrialists. Discussions were held regarding investment in key sectors such as retail, mining, diamonds, construction, hospitality, finance and renewable energy. Local industrialists assured the chamber delegation of their full cooperation in local market entry, regulation and investment facilitation.