08 Dec 2022

Batswana have demonstrated ability and intention to produce for self-sufficiency as well as for export, Minister of Entrepreneurship, Mr Karabo Gare said.

 Speaking at a SPEDU-organised tourism expo in Maun on Wednesday, he applauded  exhibitors  for  demonstrating zeal to develop, nurture and grow local production to meet international standards.

That would result in job creation and growth of the national economy, he said.

 Advising companies to pay attention to product quality, reliability as well as availability to ensure a sustainable relationship with customers, Mr Gare said that would foster good business relationships and business growth.

 Manufacturers and producers were also told to ensure their products conformed to standards set by regulatory authorities which he said would result in production of competitive products capable of penetrating both the local and international markets.

Such products would ensure that entrepreneurs easily benefitted from existing trade agreements that Botswana was party to, he said.

Mr Gare said the private sector must take the lead in supporting locally manufactured goods as it was the only way they could improve quality and conformity to international standards.

“I am happy that the tourism industry is also joining the mining sector in ensuring that leakages are reduced by buying locally,” he said.

Saying the tourism sector was one of the major contributors to GDP, he said it only made sense to create supplier linkages to tap into the industry.

About 50 companies participated in the expo, 15 of which were from the SPEDU region while the rest were North West District based.

“This is a commendable initiative by SPEDU to provide a platform for companies under its care and facilitation to showcase not only products from their region but also to give the North West producers an equal opportunity of market penetration in the tourism supplier’s value chain,” he added.

SPEDU, he said, had 110 companies under its facilitation across its various priority sectors which were attracted to the region through different incentives.

“I can confidently pronounce that these incentives have created an opportunity for these companies to expand, increase employment as well as provide an opportunity for export production,” he said.

Mr Gare said the incentives were a deliberate attempt by government to give SPEDU companies a competitive edge, to resuscitate the region’s economy and develop its communities.

Mr Gare said platforms such as the expo not only provided marketing and sales prospects for exhibitors and motivation for entrepreneurs but also exposed industry gaps that policy makers needed to address for enterprises to thrive.

Saying it was in sync with the Reset Agenda priority on promoting value chain development, he explained that itwas one of government’s efforts to promote, support, market and raise awareness of locally produced goods. Ends