Namibia and Botswana on Friday agreed to work closely in the procurement and distribution of Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccines as well as promotion of cross-border trade.

The pact was reached on Friday between Namibian President Hage Geingob and his Botswanan Counterpart Mokgweetsi Masisi during the latter’s one-day state visit to Namibia.

A communique signed by the two heads of state indicated that the two countries agreed on “a joint approach to vaccine procurement, delivery, regulatory approval， and vaccination of citizens in either country.”

The two countries also pledged to share their best practices and collaborate on COVID-19 testing and test result validation.

Meanwhile, the two sides have also agreed to continue facilitating cross-border trade including maximising export and import benefits at the dry port at Walvis Bay in Namibia.

The two sides, the communique said, also touched on issues such as post-pandemic economic recovery, and agreed to “leverage the Trans-Kalahari corridor to create value chains in agriculture, tourism and trade facilitation.”