11 Jul 2023

Botswana Investment and Trade Centre (BITC) intends to explore investment opportunities for the country during the on-going US-Africa Business Summit.

During a media engagement this week, BITC chief executive officer, Mr Keletsositse Olebile, said the organisation was ready to scout for new business opportunities and meet potential business partners as well as promote US-Africa business.

“It is always a privilege when you host an event of such a magnitude as one tends to get first-hand information. As a result, BITC has profiled all the registered delegates and is ready to target the response based on measures extended to them,” he said.

To that effect, Mr Olebile said BITC selected some high net investors and a value proposition was in place to be presented to them.

The target, he said, was at different levels, adding that it could either be through BITC investment pitches or business to business meetings for the private sector.

Additionally, Ministry of Trade and Industry permanent  secretary, Ms Malebogo Morakaladi, stated that it  was  important for  government to  provide  the  private  sector  with  platforms  to  network,  hence the  involvement  of Business  Botswana during the  plenary  sessions.

“It is through involvement of the private sector that the country can experience significant economic growth,” she said.

 Ms Morakaladi urged companies to strive to sign deals that would be evident of the summit’s success.

President of Corporate Council on Africa (CCA), Ms Florie Liser, said opportunities for local businesses could only be realised if the private sector identified and explored opportunities in the American market.

“Although the American market is complex, it provides so many opportunities for Botswana businesses, hence the need for joint ventures,” she said.

 She thus said it was important for local entrepreneurs to identify specific sectors that could yield positive results.

The US-Africa Business Summit is CCA’s annual signature high-level event, where the US and African private sector and government representatives engage in key sectors including agribusiness, energy, health, infrastructure, trade facilitation, ICT and finance.Ends