21 Sep 2023

An agreement between Air Botswana and Botswana Chambers of Mines is expected to facilitate quality and efficient air cargo transportation of raw materials, import and export of finished manufactured goods for the impactful growth of the mining, transport industries and other players in the value chain.

Speaking at the signing ceremony of the agreement on Thursday, Acting Air Botswana General Manager, Ms Masego Mookodi, said the partnership between the two entities demonstrated the airline’s commitment towards growing the cargo air transportation business in Botswana.

Ms Mookodi said the partnership directly related to value chain development which was one of the priorities under President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi’s transformation agenda.

“As a catalyst in value chain development, air cargo will unlock opportunities for growth of SMMEs, mining industry, transport and other key trade related industries and employment therefore contributing to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP),” she said.

She said with efficiencies realised from air cargo, the value chain approach would involve developing linkages between various industries.

Transportation of cargo, she said, was yet another avenue for the airline to manage air transport services, and support the economic growth of other sectors such as tourism and trade.

She said it was against such backdrop that Air Botswana continued its efforts towards pursuing growth opportunities that were commercially viable and sustainable.

“In line with these growth opportunities, the airline has identified air cargo as one of its flagship projects that will drive the business towards recovery and sustainability,” she said.

Ms Mookodi said the airline had, after coming out of the pandemic, recognised the global trend of the rising air cargo business and its strategic importance to both business and the economy as cargo was a key facilitator of global trade.

She said according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the world air cargo traffic was predicted to increase significantly, with the annual growth rate projected at four per cent in the next 20 years at a growth rate of 4.3 per cent per annum.

“It is against this promising projection that the national airline is strategically positioning the business towards harnessing opportunities presented.

Ms Mookodi added that Air Botswana was fostering collaborations with other stakeholders, especially in the transport, manufacturing and tourism eco-system, to advance its connectivity and ability to efficiently transport cargo from strategic points across the globe.

For his part, BMC Chief Executive Officer, Mr Charles Siwawa, commended Air Botswana for the support it rendered in transporting locally produced goods and importing some of the raw materials needed by local manufacturers.

Mr Siwawa said such support would create jobs and enhance competitiveness of the manufacturing sector through promotion of local industries and ensuring a levelled playing field for local manufacturers and also position Botswana products in the global market.

He was optimistic that the partnership with Air Botswana would position his organisation to play a critical role in assisting government to realise industrialisation by supporting the growth of manufacturing industry through timely delivery of raw material imports since cargo air transporting would be time effective and efficient. ENDs