04 Aug 2015

The Ngamiland community has been urged to take trade fairs seriously as they contribute to the growth of the economy.

Officiating at the Ngamiland International Trade and Agricultural Expo (NITAEX), Botswana Post head of business development, Mr Cornelius Ramatlhakwane said trade fairs not only benefit exhibitors and visitors, but also the local economy in the region.

He said it was estimated that the regional economic benefits at major international trade fair centres amount to five to seven times the organiser’s own turnover. In addition, he said trade fairs secure a number of jobs in the local region, particularly in small and medium-sized companies.

Mr Ramatlhakwane also said trade fairs were a test for new products and hence also function as a market research instrument. He said for new companies in particular, it was important to gain an overview of competitors, their performance and their products, adding that a visit to a trade fair was all that was needed at an early stage of entering a market.

The theme of the trade fair was: Unlocking economic development through tourism and agriculture,” and Mr Ramatlhakwane said the theme was relevant following the recent global economic downturn.

“I say this to emphasise the fact that Botswana’s economic health and its resilience depends on an effective exploration of all sectors perceived to be contributors to her economy,” he said.

He further observed that the choice of theme shows that people were determined to create and derive value from both tourism and agricultural activities notwithstanding the inherent conflict they present.

Mr Ramatlhakwane said it was a known fact that the co-existence of both sectors of the economy pose a challenge to communities, in particular the people living in wildlife inhabited areas such as Ngamiland, Chobe, Kgalagadi and the Tuli Block.

He said while challenges exist, people must appreciate and realise that an opportunity still exists to grow the district economies from these sectors. He said wildlife/human conflict could be managed and converted into stepping stones of economic diversification and growth in communities.

Mr Ramatlhakwane noted that studies and surveys conducted had proven that both sectors were contributors to the country’s economy. He added that it necessitated the need for all to facilitate their co-existence notwithstanding their conflicting nature.

He also commended the role played by Botswana Post in uplifting the districts economies through stamps. He said the stamps were an ambassador of any country, adding that in some instances, they contribute directly to the tourism sector within a community.

He also noted that the stamps were sold across the world and helped to attract tourists to visit the country and see the animals and natural environments that have been captured.

“To support small businesses and to ensure economic benefits to our communities, we use local artists to draw images that go into the stamps and their names are acknowledged on each stamp helping them to get international recognition,” he added. Ends