The two countries signed an agreement on economic and technical cooperation with a grant of around six million dollars (4.4 millions euros), as well as other accords on infrastructure and energy development.

"Through this visit which is my first official to Botswana we have further cemented relations between the two countries as we have signed several agreements and memorandums of understanding", said Xi after the signing ceremony.

Botswana's Vice President Mompati Merafhe said Xi's visit to the southern African nation would raise the country's profile in China and Asia.

"We have enjoyed cordial relations with China over the years and we will continue to explore other avenues that will continue to nurture the bilateral relations," he added.

Xi is expected to leave Botswana on Monday morning for China after visting Botswana Diamond Trading Company. DTCB is a 50/50 joint venture partnership between the government of Botswana and De Beers. It is the world's largest diamond sorting and valuing operation.

earlier related report
Guyana, Suriname seeking Chinese investment
Georgetown, Guyana (AFP) Nov 21, 2010 - Guyana and Suriname are seeking Chinese investment to bridge a border river between the two neighbouring South American countries that are yet to resolve a decades-old land-border dispute, the government announced Sunday.

The decision was taken during two days of bilateral talks between Guyana's President, Bharrat Jagdeo and the President of Suriname, Desi Bouterse.

No precise details were provided about the involvement of the Chinese.

As part of plans to bridge the Corentyne River, the two leaders also agreed that a technical team from both countries would meet within two weeks to explore possible locations of the bridge and other technical specifications before seeking bids.

"We have defined the work of the committee that we agreed when we met in Guyana, so the committee will proceed now to look at the technical options available; where would be the best site to locate the bridge," said Jagdeo.

The Guyanese leader wants the proposals from investors to include financing and repayment options.

When constructed, the Corentyne River bridge is expected to significantly reduce the length of time it takes to travel by a European Union-funded ferry service between the two countries.

To save time, many people choose to travel across the river in rickety wooden boats, several of which have capsized in the past resulting in deaths and injuries.

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