23 Aug 2022

The 15th edition of the Botswana Consumer Fair is set to return next week after the event was stalled for two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The fair, which was last held in 2019, will open doors to the public from August 29 until September 4.

Business Botswana president, Mr Gobusamang Keebine is expected to deliver a key note address at the official opening of the fair on Monday (August 29).

According to Fairgrounds Holdings chief executive officer, Ms Gorata Gabaraane, this year’s edition would be bigger and better, bringing a lot of colour and flavour owing to new additions and some improvements.

Ms Gabaraane said this when she was addressing the media on Monday (August 22) on the return of the country’s biggest consumer fair as well as its latest developments after it was swept to the sidelines by the pandemic.

“This year there will be new improvements to the fair that were not there in the previous years and amongst them will be a trader’s hub.

The trader’s hub is designed to stimulate trade and exchange which is an aspect that has been modest at the past consumer fair.

This special edition will enhance the fair experience by allowing consumers to be pointed in their shopping,” she explained.

Another addition to the fair, she said was the tourism pavilion, where hospitality and tourism operators would be clustered in one area to ease navigation.

“This year we will also have clusters of related businesses representing different sectors such as retailing, agriculture, manufacturing, services, government departments and many more.

 We will also have the food court which comprises a collective of reputable SMME food joints to allow variety and affordability in meal experience,” she added.

Also, as a way to allow multiple visits and have consumers spend more money at the fair, she said they were still looking into reviewing the entrance fees which would be announced before the fair kick started on August 29.

Further, she said confirmed a participation of 265 exhibitors had already confirmed their participation against the 558 exhibition stalls.

“47 of these exhibitors will be at the trader’s hub. These exhibitors are representing 28 exhibition categories which include private sector, government departments, international companies and non-governmental organisations,” she said.  ENDS