28 Aug 2022

Francistown Business Expo is a platform that aims to develop Small Medium Micro Enterprise (SMMEs) and build capacity for small businesses, Councillor for Donga Ward Mr Morulaganyi Mothowabarwa has said.

Speaking on behalf of Francistown Mayor Godisang Radisigo during the business expo in Francistown recently, Cllr Mothowabarwa noted that the expo organised by Local Business Network (LBN) Group offered businesses in Francistown and surrounding areas an opportunity to sell, build clientele and raise awareness about their products and services.

He, therefore, urged SMMEs to take advantage of such events as they created conducive trading platforms and access to the market.

He said the expo somehow prepared them for their participation in much anticipated African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and SADC economy.

“The expo will create an impact both direct and indirect including capacity building,” he said.

He highlighted that the aim was to reposition Francistown as the ultimate viable area for investment in the country.

CEO of Accuracy Group, South Africa, Mr Moss Sereme said there was an opportunity for the City of Francistown as it was strategically positioned.

He said as the population moved from around 80 000 to about 100 000, it was a testimony that some businesses could grow by that two per cent and be rich.

Mr Sereme advised that business people should interrogate their contributions to the economy by looking at the bigger picture of investment.

“You should look at sectors that are conducive and at the same time contributes to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP),” he advised.

Local Enterprise Authority (LEA) official responsible for the northern region Mr Fana Kelebogile emphasised the importance of SMMEs and their contribution to the economy saying they were a source of employment.

“You should understand SMMEs' contribution so that their programmes are aligned to drive their contribution to the GDP,” he said.

He said there were 7 incubators around Francistown and he urged the private sector to play a role in increasing the incubators to close the gap. 

BOPA