08 Jul 2018

 The inaugural market street day, hosted by the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry on Saturday, has been described as a platform to add on to the continuing efforts to grow local businesses.

In a brief speech after touring stalls set up by various businesses in front of the ministry premises, Minister Bogolo Kenewendo observed how beneficial the event would be, noting that it among other things provided an opportunity for local businesses to showcase their goods and services thereby enhancing their visibility to the nation.

Ms Kenewendo said the event was also an opportunity for businesses to network and in the process learn from each other.

On a positive note, the minister expressed happiness at the quality of goods that the exhibitors had brought to the market day.

She said it was commendable that businesses had risen to the occasion to produce goods of international standards.

In the end, Ms Kenewendo assured businesses that her ministry would continue to do its utmost to support them.

In an interview, the ministry’s chief public relations officer, Mr Kaelo Kaelo added that one of the reasons behind the market street day was to bring together manufacturers and retailers with the intention to make the latter aware that there could procure certain goods locally.

He said it had been realised that some retailers continued to procure goods and services outside Botswana under the pretext that what they needed was not available within the country’s borders.He said procuring locally would add on to efforts to grow local businesses and ensure their sustainability.

Mr Kaelo stated that the decision to make manufacturers the focus of the market day was informed by the understanding that if adequately supported, the sector could do much in terms of job creation.

He however indicated that going forward, the ministry would look into including other sectors in the market days.

Regarding the frequency of the event, he noted that while they had resolved to continue holding it, the ministry was yet to decide on how often it would be held. ENDS