13 Feb 2018

Four companies have come on board to sponsor the third annual Botswana Stock Exchange (BSE) listing conference which will be held in Gaborone on March 8.

The four; Choppies Group, Botswana Insurance Holdings Limited (BIHL), Rantao Kewagamang Attorneys and Monthe Marumo law firm, were unveiled at a media briefing on February 12.

Speaking at the briefing, representatives from the four companies highlighted the importance of listing on the stock exchange.

BIHL chief executive officer, Ms Catherine Lesetedi-Letegele said companies could reap great benefits from listing as it created a lot of opportunities.

She said in addition to the many benefits such as access to capital, listing could also help companies to further grow their reputation.

Ms Lesetedi-Letegele who also noted how the Botswana market had a lot of positives, moreover underscored the importance of good corporate governance; something that she indicated could spell the difference between success and failure.

She also underlined the need to ensure that regulations did not shut out foreign investments under the guise of citizen economic empowerment.

She said while the latter was equally important, true economic growth needed the input of foreign direct investors.

She observed that time had come for the bourse to start contributing significantly to Botswana’s GDP.

She thus noted how critical it was for all stakeholders to ensure that the BSE became the stock exchange of note in Africa.

Mr Ramachandran Ottaphathu, the chief executive officer of the Choppies Group encouraged companies which were yet to list on the stock exchange to consider doing so as there were great benefits to be reaped.

He said things had changed at the BSE as in the past there was not much activity on the local exchange as compared to now.

A partner at Monthe Marumo law firm, Dr Baatlhodi Molatlhegi noted that the opportunity to list was being under-utilised by companies operating in Botswana.

He said it was sad that most companies did not see the opportunity as a platform for raising capital.

Ms Kelly Kewagamang of Rantao Kewagamang Attorneys said working with the BSE gave their firm the opportunity to realise its dream of expanding and growing even further.

Ms Kewagamang said the sponsorship provided them with an opportunity to learn, grow and be even more visible.

She said they would encourage their clients to list so as to create wealth for themselves. Ends