27 Aug 2018

Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry has refuted as untrue reports that government had asked foreign companies to cede 51 per cent of their ownership to locals/citizens.

Speaking at her courtesy call to Bokomo Botswana, Ms Bogolo Kenewendo said ‘but if this is already in progress, at one’s own volition, government supports such.’

Government recognises and values the contribution made by Bokomo into the growth of the economy, she said.

“I would like to take this opportunity to commend your organisation for the strides it has made since its inception 14 years ago,” she added.

She noted that government had set goals such as the National Development Plan (NDP) 11 and Vision 2036, which emphasised the transformation of the country’s economy from middle to upper income level, which is a key priority for her ministry to achieve.

Ms Kenewendo said ‘for the country to realise some of these priorities, it is important that government embraces and collaborates with the business community.’

“Sustainable economic development is vital for the meaningful contribution to GDP. As government we are alive to the unearthing of economic potential and citizen economic empowerment as well as the alignment to national objectives such as job creation and security, support for local farmers and the localisation of jobs,” said Ms Kenewendo.

The minister further commended Bokomo Botswana for their preference for local raw materials over imports and that such efforts would aid in the growth of local stakeholders.

Ms Kenewendo further applauded the company on its collaborative efforts with entities such as BAMB.

“In terms of SMMEs, government would like to note that your support of local SMMEs by outsourcing key aspects of your business to local registered transport companies and making use of local service providers is commendable,” she said.

She explained that her ministry has a clear mandate to create a conducive environment for the promotion of investment and development of sustainable industries and trade with a view to diversifying and growing the economy creating wealth and employment to ensure prosperity for all.

For his part, chief executive officer of Bokomo Botswana, Mr Werner De Beer said Bokomo recently received the ISO 9001:2015 certificate from Botswana Bureau of Standards (BOBS).

The BOBS ISO 9001:2015 certificate is an accolade that recognises excelling management systems.

The certificate gauges a wide range of specifics such as customer satisfaction and service delivery through effective management systems according to applicable statutory and regulatory requirements.

He said Bokomo continuously strives for excellence in all it does.

“It is therefore a proud achievement to be certified compliant with international standards of quality. This gives us the confidence and our customers the assurance that Bokomo’s products are of the highest quality.

I commend Team Bokomo for their diligent efforts in this regard and I am confident that the continuous improvement philosophy is well embedded in the way we do things at Bokomo,” he said.

Bokomo Botswana is a fast-moving consumer giant which manufactures edibles such as White Star Maize Meal, Bokomo Special Maize Meal, Samp and Maize Rice to name a few.

In addition, Bokomo Botswana produces the Pure Sugar brand of refined brown and white sugar and distributes an array of other foods nationwide. ENDS