14 Mar 2022

Botswana’s participation in Expo 2020 Dubai is brimming investment promises some of which would begin to show tangible results in the near future, says Botswana Investment and Trade Centre (BITC) CEO.  

 Speaking in an interview, Mr Keletsositse Olebile said Botswana managed to secure relationships that would bring investment home in the thematic areas it exhibited on including mining and beneficiation, innovation, tourism, arts and culture and agriculture and foods.

He revealed that the Dubai Multi Commodity Centre would collaborate with Okavango Diamond Company Botswana to assist in marketing and selling the country’s diamonds through online auctions.

Mr Olebile said Dubai diamond beneficiation companies had showed interest in investing in Botswana.

Under the tourism thematic area, he said Botswana travel and tour companies had managed to liaise with international tour companies to divert tourism footfall to Botswana.

“They managed to present to the world Botswana’s pristine tourism story, highlighting some of our rich natural resource base and investment potential,” he said.

In the Food for Botswana thematic sector, he said the United Arab Emirates had been convinced that Botswana was in a position to facilitate investment in massive food production for the UAE which had unfavourable climatic conditions for horticulture.

Noting that Botswana had so far sold artifacts worth 90 000 Dirhams, Mr Olebile said  there was potential to secure market for Botswana basketry in the Arab state.

He said BITC managed to surpass the set target regarding value of export earnings through diamond selling alone.

This followed Okavango Diamond Company Botswana’s breakthrough in managing to sell diamonds worth $110 million in one day.

“This was the first-time diamond selling surpassed such huge amount of investment in one day,” he said.

 Describing Botswana’s participation as a worthwhile expedition in advancing the country’s international profile, he said it was an opportunity to promote Botswana as the world’s ideal investment destination.

Mr Olebile said the expo provided a distinctive business platform for attracting investment, forging agreements and promoting international cooperation.

“The expo presented immense opportunities for trade and networking to the global community,” he said.

Mr Olebile said President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi’s participation at the national day was meant to cap the activities of the six-months expo.

“The President will also meet with the UAE authorities to cement relations for possible collaboration and other countries as well as to appreciate the expo and what was showcased at the Botswana pavilion,” he stated.

Held under the auspices of the Bureau of International Expositions, the expo attracted 192 countries to reflect on ways of collaborating, forging partnerships, coming up with novel solutions as well as providing a platform for participating states to showcase their excellence to the world.

The expo opened October last year and ends March 31. Ends