22 Nov 2015

First National Bank Botswana chief executive officer has commended Business Botswana for its successful re-branding from Botswana Confederation of Commerce, Industry and Manpower (BOCCIM).

Mr Steven Bogatsu was delivering a keynote address at the 2015 Business Botswana annual gala dinner. The evolution of BOCCIM into Business Botswana, he said, was part of its restructuring efforts aimed at broadening its mandate and was also partly meant to address some of the private sector challenges.

“We are very fortunate to have Business Botswana which is mandated to advocate for the business environment that makes it easy for people to start and operate businesses in Botswana. I wish to commend Business Botswana for constantly demonstrating that the dialogue cooperation is stronger than discord and conflicts,” he added. 

Since its inception in 1971, the FNBB CEO said the organisation had protected the economic interests of the business community. 

“Through its philosophy of constructive diamonds, the organisation has also won the confidence and respect of both government and other stakeholders in Botswana- allowing it to play meaningfully to the formation of policies,” he added.

Amongst its many achievements, he said Business Botswana had also initiated the debate on the need for a long term vision and organised the business sector to be a major player in the formation of many national economic issues.

Additionally, he said some of Business Botswana achievements included the establishment and institutionalisation of the formation of the high level consultative council in 1996, the promotion of the private policy and neutralisation or abolishing of exchange controls.

Business Botswana, Mr Bogatsu said, also established the national business council, which helped raise the profile in the role of the private sector in building the nation.  

The FNBB CEO implored the private sector to ensure it remained committed to developing an innovative and sustainable economy.  

Business Botswana president, Mr Lekwalo Mosienyane honoured the outgoing CEO, Ms Maria Machailo-Ellis by bestowing her an appreciation award for her outstanding and immense contribution to the development of the private sector and improvement of the business environment in Botswana. 

Other awards recipients were; electronic journalist of the year (Radio Botswana’s Ms Kgomotso Kgwagaripane), electronic media of the year (Gabz FM), print media of the year (Mmegi Newspaper), print journalist of the year (Mmegi’s Mr Isaac Pinielo) and best student (University of Botswana’s Ms Otisitswe Rathedi)

In addition, magazine of the year award, training company of the year award and sponsor of the year award went to; Hotel & Catering Magazine, Majwe Mining Joint Venture and Motor Vehicle Accident Fund and Botswana Telecommunications Corporation Limited, respectively.

The BOCCIM annual gala dinner has been running for 29 years and the 2015 event marked the first time the gala dinner was held under the organisation’s new name- Business Botswana. Ends