03 Oct 2019

Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs) have been urged to seize opportunities presented by the Botswana Institute for Technology Research and Innovation (BITRI).

The appeal was made by BITRI technology transfer officer, Mr Kesupemang Pitlagano during a technology transfer forum for SMEs, hosted and facilitated by BITRI in Ghanzi recently.

Mr Pitlagano said BITRI policy gives Batswana SMEs priority, hence they are well positioned to exploit the opportunities to give their businesses a competitive edge, as well as propelling knowledge-based economy and industrialisation in Botswana.

The policy that guides BITRI on technology transfer or commercialisation, he said, recommends selling technologies to existing companies, licensing technologies and starting new companies (spin-offs), particularly joint ventures.

He noted that commercialisation or licensing products to SMEs to operate them would give BITRI time to concentrate on research.

He however said he was concerned that Batswana were not responding to the organisation’s requests whenever they advertise spin-off project opportunities.

Mr Pitlagano regretted that Batswana had forfeited some golden opportunities presented by his company, citing the expression of interest that was floated more than five times for local companies to produce and sell the Kgalagadi Sand Building Block Blend (KSBB).

He said BITRI ended up approaching the Office of the President and the project was assigned to it and BITRI

It has since established 29 depots around the country, but only one individual had been trained to mix the KSBB blend.

“This opportunity could have been grabbed by one Motswana, but where were you?” he wondered.

Mr Pitlagano said through non-exclusive licensing, BITRI wanted its technologies to reach as many Batswana as possible and promote competition for there to be competitive pricing.

He said adoption and commercialisation of BITRI technologies by SMEs would  go a long way in promoting the establishment of local industries to employ Batswana.

He said SMEs could also play an important role in the refinement of BITRI technologies that could later be exported to other countries to earn foreign income for Botswana.

He advised SMEs to think diversification to spread their business risks.

Mr Pitlagano said SMEs erre important stakeholders, adding ‘today’s SMEs are tomorrow’s multinational companies.’

He advised SMEs to trade mark their products, adding that without trademarks, they would not build their businesses’ reputation.

Mr Matlhogonolo Mosweu, who is also technology transfer officer at BITRI, told participants that Nano fibre material was one of the organisation’s upcoming technologies, revealing that it was applicable in a lot of things among them mob caps, mouth masks as well as being used to purify potable water.

He said using diagnostic technology, they had plans to make a Foot and Mouth disease test kit.

He also briefed participants on other products such as sign coach, an offline mobile application, Nthusa mobile app, Mmualebe application used for service rating and free mobile app, as well as morabaraba, which he said was to save indigenous games.

Projects at pilot stage, he said were biodigest, fleet management system and matimela application, adding that BITRI also had specialised labs such as solar thermal testing facilities.

He said it was important for Batswana to know about BITRI’s technologies, so that they benefit from them. ENDS