18 Oct 2022

The 16^th National Business Conference is tipped to accelerate business growth and position Botswana as a globally competitive player.

Speaking at the ongoing business conference in Francistown on Monday, the Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr Mmusi Kgafela stated that topics selected for discussion were relevant to today’s economic dynamics, adding that the deliberations would offer solutions for growth.

The minister stated that the meeting would spark conversations and challenge government as well as private sector to talk about legislation protocols and regulations that enabled businesses to run efficiently.

“Whenever President Masisi attends national events it rejuvenates the attendees and the rest of the country watching and I believe we shall be re-energised to drive Vision 2036 aspirations,” he said, in appreciation of President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi’s official opening the conference,

In his remarks, the mayor of Francistown, Mr Godisang Radisigo commended Business Botswana for continuously hosting their biggest annual events, which included the BB trade fair, in the city.

He highlighted that Francistown would continue to be the city of choice for these conferences.

He said COVID-19 hindered the growth of SMMEs not just in Botswana, but the rest of the world, hence said there was need to adopt digitisation in order to drive the changes that arose due to COVID-19.

Mayor Radisigo said they strove to build a city where individuals and businesses could thrive, which was why the council had formulated a strategy to ensure businesses could coexist and maximise on returns.

“As Francistown City council we recognise the role played by businesses, hence we empower them by outsourcing cleaning,  security and refuse collection services,” he said.

Giving conference objectives, Business Botswana president Mr Gobusamang Keebine stated that the conference was a great opportunity for government and private sector to engage in conversations that drove economic growth.

He said the Reset Agenda dictated that services needed to be delivered in an efficient manner through the digitalisation tools so that Batswana were served promptly.

He highlighted that Botswana was halfway through achieving being a high-income country, adding that it was upon all Batswana to ensure the high-income status was attained by working as a collective.

Mr Keebine emphasised the need to combine innovation and export approach as outlined in the Reset Agenda.

He further said it was imperative to identify what was in demand globally so that Botswana could produce on a large scale. 

“We must leverage Botswana’s selling points being solar power, clean energy, and agriculture among others.” ENDS