28 Jul 2019

The Vice President Mr Slumber Tsogwane has encouraged local and international investors to invest in the SPEDU region.

Officially opening the Selebi Phikwe Trade and Exhibition Show recently, Mr Tsogwane said such would enable businesses to take full advantage of a generous package of investment incentives that government introduced in 2015.

They include among others, lower tax rate for manufacturing companies, government off-take procurement and provision of land for industrial and commercial projects.

The incentives, he said, were aimed at stimulating private sector investment, technology development, market access and activities that created jobs.

“We have an obligation as government to facilitate trade and investment by creating a conducive environment for the private sector to thrive,” he said.

Mr Tsogwane, who is also MP for Boteti West, said the show represented another effort by SPEDU to revitalise the region’s economy.

He said achieving economic growth through diversification could benefit the SPEDU region, particularly following the closure of the BCL Mine in 2016.

The Vice President challenged stakeholders to see how such a show could benefit the region and the country.

Organisers, he said, should make it appealing and rewarding to attend, adding that with growth, the show would diversify its profile by featuring exhibitors from not just SADC but Africa and the rest of the world since commerce recognised no borders.

Selebi Phikwe Town Council mayor, Mr Molosiwa Molosiwa said Selebi Phikwe had for a long time relied on the BCL mine hence the town was hard hit by its closure

He urged stakeholders to share ideas on how to explore other business avenues to revitalise the economy of not only Selebi Phikwe but the entire SPEDU region.

Mr Molosiwa said the show would help boost the economy of Selebi Phikwe and empower businesses operating within the SPEDU region.

The show committee chairperson, Ms Sandra Hughes said the show had been dormant for 20 years and that it was on its third year after it was resuscitated in 2017.

Selebi Phikwe Trade and Exhibition Show provides is an opportunity for exhibitors to meet face to face with potential customers. It is also a platform to advertise to a target market and create brand awareness.

The show was themed: Promote, revitalise, grow. Ends