06 Jul 2022

There is need to enhance trade and investment between Botswana and the Republic of Poland, which have only minimally traded despite having a long cordial relationship. Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr Mmusi Kgafela said this when welcoming participants at Botswana/ Poland business seminar in Gaborone Tuesday. He said Botswana exports to Poland totaled US$ 4 100 in 2021, nearly four times lower than the previous year, when they totalled US$15 390.

On the other hand, Botswana’s total imports from Poland, which mainly consisted of machinery and mechanical appliances were estimated at about US$357 000 and US$362 000 in 2020 and 2021 respectively. Minister Kgafela said there was therefore opportunity for increased trade and investment, especially in areas of energy and agriculture in view of the current geo-political events. 

“Botswana remains highly committed to promoting and attracting foreign direct investment, this is demonstrated by the commitment to creating a conducive investment environment undertaken through implementation of the “Doing Business Reforms Roadmap,” he said. Mr Kgafela said through the roadmap, a number of reforms had been undertaken to smoothen the process to start a business, which included amending Trade and Industrial Development Act to reduce turnaround time for license inssuance. 

He said of note was the One Stop Service Center housed under Botswana Investment and Trade Center (BITC) to facilitate all investor related requirements. “Both countries exhibit synergies that we can leverage jointly to improve trade relations, “ he said.

He said Botswana Digital and Innovation Hub was collaborating with ASSECO Data System, a leading ICT company listed on the Warsaw stock exchange, on products and solutions, ICT and capacity building. “I am also informed that MEDINET heart center, which is the first private heart center in Poland, specialising in cardiac surgery, has an interest to set up a cardiac center in Botswana,” he said. 

The minister added the successful implementation of the initiative would ensure availability of modern medical services, health care and life protection for citizens and residents of Botswana as well as improve competitiveness of the country’s medical institutions in the African market. 

Mr Kgafela said efforts were underway to formalize commercial cooperation between Morupule Coal Mine, Botswana’s leading coal producer and Veolia of Poland also a leading global company in energy, waste and water segments of Poland.

For his part, deputy Foreign Minister of Poland, Mr Pawel Jablonski said as a country they learnt that depending too much on another country’s products was not sustainable and they took the initiative to concentrate more on producing their own products where possible. 

He said the war between Russia and Ukraine taught them a lesson as the whole world was now in food and energy shortages, an indication that many countries relied on Ukraine’s grain production which was currently unable to provide supplies. ENDS