10 Jan 2016

Batswana are encouraged to participate in the historic opportunity of the BTCL shares offer period, which is set to open today.

A press statement from Public Enterprise Evaluation and Privatisation Agency states that to aid in educating those who may never have bought shares, a nationwide public education road show will kick off on January 18 in Mahalapye until February 27.

“Details of when and where the roadshow will take place in each of the venues will be shared publicly and prospective investors are encouraged to follow local media outlets for publication of the details, and are further encouraged to attend roadshows at their most convenient locations,” it reads.

The press statement further states that places to be visited are Palapye, Serowe, Letlhakane, Bobonong, Selebi Phikwe, Tonota, Francistown, Masunga, Tutume, Nata, Kasane, Maun, Shakawe, Ghanzi, Hukuntsi, Kang, Middlepits, Tsabong, Makopong/Werda, Jwaneng, Kanye, Lobatse, Good Hope, Ramotswa, Thamaga and Molepolole. 

Mr Paul Taylor, managing director of BTCL is quoted in the statement saying, “This momentous time comes off the back of years of hard work, and we are excited to deliver this historical opportunity to Batswana. 

With something of this magnitude, there is a need for awareness and understanding to be created. 

The public education roadshow serves as one of many platforms that seeks to deliver this. 

We encourage Batswana to come out and be a part of the biggest investment opportunity to date in our Nation's history. The BTCL IPO is here and it belongs to us all.”

The statement further states that BTCL IPO is underpinned by government's desire to empower Botswana citizens and citizen owned entities to own national assets, with 49 per cent of shares for sale available. 

“A total of 44 per cent of shares will be available for sale with five per cent reserved for citizen employees in the form of an employee trust. 

Shares are priced at P1 each, with a minimum offer of 1 000 shares per client.

 After that, increments of 100 shares will be accepted,” reads the statement.

Information on the BTCL IPO is contained within the BTCL IPO Prospectus, which can be found online at www.btc.bw, www.peepa.co.bw, www.bse.co.bw and www.gov.bw. 

Copies will also be available at all BTCL and Barclays Bank Branches from Monday on-wards, as well as selected branches of BotswanaPost and Choppies stores, as well as the offices of Stockbrokers Botswana, the sponsoring broker. 

Application forms can be found at all Barclays Bank branches between 9am to 5pm from Monday until March 04, the statement says. Ends