27 Jan 2016

The recently launched Botswana Trade Portal is expected to improve the country's business environment as well as acceleration in regional and international trade.

Government, through the Botswana Investment and Trade Centre (BITC), has developed this portal specifically to facilitate cross-border trade to foster economic growth in Botswana.

The trade portal also has an objective of making it easier for traders and investors to understand, navigate and comply with regulatory requirements associated with exporting and importing.

This web-based tool was intended to helping Botswana to fully comply with its international obligations at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) level.

Speaking at the launch, Assistant Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr Sadique Kebonang, noted that globally, countries were putting in place calculated domestic reforms in order to create conducive environment for trade and investment to grow within their borders.

He therefore said the vision of the government of Botswana was to have the country globally competitive in the overall share of trade in the world.

“However, in the absence of timely and accurate statutory information to the business community, this vision would be difficult to realise. Indeed closing the information gap on trade is a key determinant for success, and this is what this Trade Portal is all about,” he said.

Furthermore, Mr Kebonang said government will ensure full commitment in the continued sustainability of the Botswana Trade Portal.

Meanwhile, BTIC chief executive, Mr Letsebe Sejoe said the Trade Portal will be a significant contributor to trade facilitation in terms of increased transparency and predictability of doing trade across borders.

The Botswana Trade Portal, which is a web based solution precisely intended to make use of current technology for ease of trade was launched on Tuesday. Ends