05 Nov 2017

The Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry, Mr Vincent Seretse says Grant Thornton Botswana has cultivated a healthy competitive spirit amongst private business companies.

 Speaking at the third annual Private Business Growth Awards on November 1, Mr Seretse said the competitive spirit has helped stimulate economic growth and opportunities.

Mr Seretse said the awards were a testament of the efforts that the private sector was doing in support of government’s efforts of bridging the unemployment gap in the country. 

He also noted that since the inception of the awards, businesses that had won had significantly impacted the lives of Batswana as they had grown and employed more people.

Held under the theme: 'Creating momentum for growth,' the minister said the awards recognised businesses that had demonstrated a holistic growth and encompassed a broad range of activities across their business such as innovation, market development, strategic leadership and improvements in financial measure. 

He also noted that the Grant Thornton’s latest international business report for 2017 revealed that of the 36 countries surveyed, Botswana businesses showed the second highest intension to expand domestically at 53 per cent in comparison to the global average of 34 per cent and the African average of 38 per cent.

He said it reflected the mind-frame of many of the participants of the awards who have achieved growth in Botswana.

“I therefore call upon you to continue in the path of growth and success to lead your organisations and ultimately our country to a brighter future,” said Mr Seretse, further noting that it was through the businesses endeavours that they could transform the country’s economy. 

Hotwire PRC emerged winners under the medium enterprise category while Security Systems scooped the award under the large enterprise category.

Northern Textile Mills took position one in the investor of the year award under the manufacturing category while Radical Investment and First Polymers Botswana took position two and three respectively.

In the expansion category, Chloride Exide Botswana emerged winners while Bokomo Botswana took position two. Radical Investments won the exporter of the year award followed by Chloride Exide Botswana while Basic Holdings Investments took position three.

The Private Business Growth Awards recognise privately owned businesses in Botswana that approach growth from both a strategic and holistic perspective to create a positive impact beyond their bottom line. ENDS