27 Apr 2014

Minister of Trade and Industry, Ms Dorcas Makgato-Malesu has emphasised the need for Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) to be innovative and adopt new technology to widen their business scope.

Speaking at the Local Enterprise Authority (LEA) 2014 SMME Pitso, Ms Makgato-Malesu said SMMEs should not focus locally only, but should be able to compete globally.

The minister said  entrepreneurism should be able to adapt and utilise new technologies and employ innovative ideas to be competitive and to be in the world’s top economies.

“Our products and services must be world class. This is the only way we can compete with brands which currently fill our shelves, until such a time that we can comply with quality standards, it will be difficult to influence the reduction of imports into the country,” she said.

Ms Makgato-Malesu said the small population of Botswana was not favourable to attract foreign investors, thus entrepreneurs should be innovative to compete with the regional and international markets. She said through technology, small business had been freed from restrictions of the traditional modes of advertising.

“Entrepreneurs are able to reach new and existing customers faster and at a low cost through the use of internet, which involves websites and online product sales. Technology adoption into one’s business is also a key ingredient for success as it enables businesses to become cost efficient,” she said.

She also observed that traditional manufacturing processes could be coupled with new technologies to increase output and reduce unit costs, thereby enhancing overall productivity.

Further, the minister indicated that government continued to provide a platform for a vibrant and innovative SMME sector through its different organisations and programmes such as the Botswana Innovation Hub and the Botswana Fibre Networks (BOFINET).

She pointed out that government had provided the necessary platform such as infrastructure, access to finance and training which would assist entrepreneurs to grow their businesses into sustainable enterprises.

Ms Makgato-Malesu said since its inception, LEA has trained 10 703 entrepreneurs in Botswana and has mentored and coached to grow their enterprises.

In her remarks, the guest speaker, SRS Aviation founder and managing director, Ms Sibongile Sambo said government can do much, but it was up to individuals to pitch business ideas to potential investors.

Ms Sambo said there was need for African entrepreneurs to rise to the global environment as it is getting complex, adding that there was need for international partnerships and the use of social media for broader marketing.

The LEA SMME Pitso is in the fourth year.

It was purported to provide entrepreneurs with a platform to voice their challenges which hinder their growth. ENDS