HC Deb 05 November 1999 vol 337 c359W
Mr. Nigel Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what current proposals she has to assist Botswana. [95737]

Clare Short

We expect to spend around £3 million this year to support national development strategies which focus on helping to ensure an equitable distribution of the nation's wealth.

Main current projects include improvements in sustainable livelihoods by providing better access to, and the use of, natural resources; improvement of the management of resources for primary education; development of distance learning materials, support for the electoral process and development of community policing. Botswana is also a partner in a regional initiative to tackle the spread of HIV/AIDS through increased awareness and improved treatment and prevention systems.

Botswana also benefits through its membership of the South African Development Committee (SADC) from programmes to improve regional integration especially in the areas of HIV/AIDS, trade and customs reform, and improvements in the electoral process.