04 Dec 2018

President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi says Botswana is ready to partner with and host Polish companies wishing to expand their operations into Africa.

President Masisi was speaking at a  Botswana/Polish business seminar where he shared his aspirations of hosting Polish brands in Botswana.

“I have learnt that some of your companies have expressed interest to invest in Botswana and initiated engagements with different stakeholders to establish presence in Botswana. I urge all of you present here to engage with and fully utilize the Botswana Investment and Trade Centre (BITC). I believe that today’s discussions will result in a long standing mutual relationship as we host your super brands in Botswana,” he said.

President Masisi urged all those engaged in the agriculture and agro processing, auto motive components and parts, tractor assembly plants, financial and business services, mining beneficiation, cargo and logiustics, ICT and health sectors to consider partnering with Botswana as it was a gateway to SADC markets.

“Botswana has developed a sophisticated microwave and fibre optic  telecommunication network to enable widespread internal and international communication by telephone, facsimile and electronic mail, it boasts excellent education facilities, both public and private for companies to draw young and vibrant labour force, good medical facilities comprising both government and private health institutions amongst others,” he said.

Dr Masisi assured the Polish business community that government was spearheading several reforms to facilitate the ease of doing business in Botswana. He cited the establishment of the Botswana One Stop Service Centre (BOSSC) whose role was to expedite issuance of permits as well as providing information speedily to potential investors.

Government, he said, had given the relevant minister authority to grant permanent residence status to investors who would add value to the economy of Botswana even before they had reached the required minimum five years of residence.

President Masisi told the meeting that trade between Botswana and Poland had been very low despite the market access opportunities availed through the SADC-EU Economic Partnership agreement. Citing 2017 figures, he said the total value of exports from Poland to Botswana stood at around P16.5million.

“The composition of exported products comprised mainly electric conductors, telephones for cellular networks and other commodities under tariff heading HS 85, to the tune of $685 297 followed by Durum wheat HS 100119 at $426 085, automatic data processing machinery of HS 84 goods worth $318 769 and to a limited extent auto components parts of HS 8704 worth $14 412,” he said.

President Masisi was welcomed by the honorary president of Regional Chamber of Commerce in Katowice Mr Tadeusz Donocik and Polish Chamber of Commerce diplomatic advisor to the president Ambassador Jan Wielinski who introduced several polish businesses.

The companies made presentations of to President Masisi and expressed interest in expanding their businesses into the African market and Botswana.ENDS