09 Jun 2022

The World Economic Forum (WEF) held in Davos, Switzerland, has presented the country with opportunities that must be followed.

Speaking at the WEF post analysis seminar in Gaborone on Wednesday, the Minister of Entrepreneurship, Mr Karabo Gare said his ministry was particularly interested in developing value chains.

He said Information Communications Technology (ICT), mining, agriculture and tourism sectors provided unlimited opportunities that should be tapped into for the development of the country.

The minister said they exchanged notes with their counterparts from Mauritius, who were a step ahead of Botswana.

Mr Gare said the country was failing to meet its food demand and therefore they have an idea on how they could tap into technology to produce more food.

Botswana Investment and Trade Centre CEO, Mr Keletsositse Olebile said they used the country’s import bill as a guiding tool when seeking foreign investors.

He said it was against this background that a cement company was to be established in Francistown, with P500 million invested in the project.

 This, he said, would make the country self-sustainable.

He further said there were other investors who were interested in manufacturing medicines in the country. 

Mr Olebile said there were opportunities in Public Private Partnerships, especially in the development of railway lines across the country.

Further, he said sea rail, developers of Botswana’s dry port in Namibia were looking into developing another dry port in Zambia. 

This, according to Mr Olebile, would lead to the development of Kazungula rail line.

The seminar, sponsored by Stanbic Bank, was also attended by President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Edwin Dikoloti and Stanbic Bank CEO, Mr Chose Modise.

Botswana’s ambassador to Switzerland, Dr Athaliah Molokomme participated virtually, and said the WEF offered an opportunity for the President to engage with other international organisations based in Geneva such as WHO. Ends