26 Feb 2023

 People in the handicraft and art businesses have been advised to adopt new technologies in their production in order to exploit the international market.

The call was made by Women in Business Association (WIBA) chairperson in Maun, Ms Christinah Leshego during a kgotla meeting held at Batawana main kgotla to apprise the business community about the upcoming regional African Growth Opportunity (AGOA) competitions billed for October this year.

The competitions aims to empower and facilitate exportation through AGOA and covers business such as arts and handicrafts, jewellery, natural ingenious products, leather, textile among others.

She challenged business owners to up their game and participate in the competition which aimed to motivate Batswana utilise AGOA opportunity to expand their market base. AGOA, she said was a trade arrangement between the United States and Sub-Saharan African countries including Botswana which runs till 2025 and it had been underutilised for the past 20 years.  

“We saw it fit to collaborate with the ministry of trade to sensitise Ngamiland community about AGOA through these competitions so that they understand market requirements and standards,” she said. She said participants should understand that Botswana was competing with other African countries hence they should produce quality products to satisfy the market.

Further, she revealed that WIBA had sent some samples of baskets and cushion covers to America through Botswana Investment Trade Centre (BITC) adding that they had been approved and encouraged Batswana to do more and export in large quantities.

Through the competition, she said WIBA wanted a pool of companies or serious individuals which they could rely on to capitalise on the remaining three years of the trade agreement.

Ngamiland region, she said was rich in natural resources adding that communities could group themselves to produce more handicrafts to uplift their livelihoods.

Ms Leshego said most elders and young people in Ngamiland region were talented and creative. 

Those interested in the competition, were called to collect forms from WIBA office in Maun at Mabudutsa ward next to Maun Clinic. 

She also encouraged women to exhibit their products so that they could improve exports and grow their businesses.

An official from Ministry of Trade and Industry, Mr Morgan Matale encouraged business owners to explore the local market first before they could penetrate the international one. He appreciated that Batswana were innovative and talented and urged them to market their businesses  to government departments and the tourism industry.

The country, he said received a lot of visitors and at times they struggle to procure gifts for them because Batswana are not coming forth to avail their unique products. “You should work on your marketing strategy and ensure your products are sold in curio shops around town,” he added.

He urged them to produce competitive products that could attract attention as well as price their products well. Ends