GABORONE, Sept. 25 -- The Chinese Embassy in Botswana on Tuesday held a closing ceremony of a training program on road design and management.

The 30-day course, which was funded by the Chinese government and enrolled 40 Botswanans, focused on several aspects of transportation industry, including geology engineering in road construction, international highway construction technology, and design and management of road safety facilities in China.

Yang Xunlei, the economic and commercial counselor at the Chinese embassy, said that this training program has produced gratifying results of narrowing knowledge gaps and updating the understanding of advanced road technology.

"China will, as always, make concerted efforts with Botswana to further enhance human resources cooperation. I sincerely hope that more local professionals can take part," he said.

Appreciating the Chinese government's efforts, Botswanan Minister of Transport and Communication Dorcas Makgato said skill training in modern technologies, especially in road construction and maintenance, will help Botswana improve its road networks.

"The training offered participants an opportunity to engage in matters affecting design, maintenance and implementation of road projects," she said, adding that the training came at the right time when Botswana is trying to diversify its economy and reduce the economic dependence on the mining sector.