President S R Nathan is in Botswana for the final leg of a three country state visit to Africa.

He was given a ceremonial welcome on his arrival and was met by Botswanian President Festus Mogae.

President Nathan's visit reciprocates Mr Mogae's state visit to Singapore in November 2006.

As President Mogae shared the 2016 vision for his country, he was also concerned about the numerous challenges still remaining.

The HIV rate in the country is about 36 percent, making it the second highest in the world, and unemployment is also a major issue.

However, despite the setbacks, Botswana is determined to turn things around.

Over the past four decades, Botswana has made remarkable strides in areas like governance, education, trade and wildlife tourism.

The largely desert country, which depends excessively on diamond exports, is now keen for economic diversification and looks at Singapore as a model to learn from.

President Mogae expressed his admiration for what the island nation has achieved, and said he is keen to address capacity building in education and training.

Linkages between Botswana and Singapore date back to 1993.

Since then, about 350 Botswana officials have participated in the Singapore Cooperation Programme.

Botswana's very own National Productivity Centre in Gabarone, modelled after its Singapore equivalent, has evolved to become a regional training centre in southern Africa.

The centre also serves as a symbol of close relations between Botswana and Singapore.

Botswana's goal is to become a centre of excellence in science and technology and President Nathan said Singapore is willing to help - through its Cooperation Programme.

Special technical assistance package in the areas of technical and vocational training, and hospital management are courses he hopes will prove useful and meet Botswana's needs.

President Nathan said: "It is an ongoing process and a symbol of our close relationship. They are willing to learn from us, and we are willing to share our experiences, so that they can adapt to their circumstances."

A 17-strong business delegation that's accompanying the Singapore President is also holding discussions with their Botswanian counterparts with the interest to developing new business linkages between the two countries.

Earlier, in Namibia, the second stop of his two-week long state visit to the sub-Saharan region, Mr Nathan and his Namibian counterpart Hifikepunye Pohamba called for strategic partnerships aimed at accelerating bilateral trade and investment.

In a joint communiqué, they urged the public and private sectors in both countries to be a part of those strategic partnerships.

With economic growth and employment creation as the twin goals, the two leaders hope this will further strengthen Asia-Africa cooperation.

Apart from areas such as trade and investment promotion, the two Heads of State agreed through the joint communiqué that the two governments will continue to cooperate in sectors like fisheries and marine resources, labour matters, human resource development, science and technology, harbour management, transport and communication and tourism. - CNA/ch