06 Feb 2024

North West regional chairperson of Women in Business Association (WIBA) has hailed the mini exhibition alongside the 4th Bi-National Commission session of Botswana/Zimbabwe as a platform to network and exchange notes.

The exhibition organised by BITC and ZimTrade will afford Botswana and Zimbabwe companies to showcase their product offerings, aimed at stimulating and growing mutually beneficial cross-border trade.

Ms Christinah Leshego said the forum, would also give participants an exposure and an opportunity to exchange ideas and find support to improve their operations.

She appreciated that WIBA had also identified some of its members to attend saying, “I am hopeful that they would learn a lot from their counterparts as they will interact with professionals who will advise them in certain situations to grow their businesses,” she added.

Ms Leshego also appreciated that Zimbabwe was advanced in many sectors citing manufacturing noting that a lot of products from some businesses had hit the shelves and believed that locals in manufacturing and agro-processing would learn best practices and create possible partnerships.

 “We really appreciate BITC and ZimTrade for the business forum as it will provide multitudes of benefits to participants. It will empower them to share their expertise and first-hand experience with others,” she added.

Ms Leshego said at the end of the forum, they would see more locals taking advantage of the free trade agreements signed by Botswana in an effort to strengthen export base and eventually drive the country’s economic growth

More than a hundred delegates are attending the 4th Bi-National Commission session of Botswana/Zimbabwe which kicked off Monday at Maun Lodge.

The five- day meeting preceded by a senior officials and other high level stakeholders which would be followed by minister’s meeting on Thursday paving the way for the official opening of the session by heads of state meeting on February 9.

The meeting gives both countries an opportunity to deepen their ties as well as reflect on and assess progress in the implementation of agreed decisions of the third session of the Bi-Natinal Commision held at Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe in 2022.

However, minister of Trade and Industry, Mr Mmusi Kgafela, and Zimbabwean minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Mr Frederick Shava are expected to headline at Botswana- Zimbabwe business forum to be hosted at Maun lodge on February 8.

Organised by Botswana Investment and Trade Centre (BITC) in collaboration with Zimbabwe Trade as part of nurturing and strengthening trade and business relations between Botswana and Zimbabwe, the forum will be held on the sidelines of the Joint Permanent Commission on Cooperation between Botswana and Zimbabwe.

The forum gears to explore investment and trade opportunities, promote Botswana as an investment destination of choice, as well as facilitate possible joint-venture partnerships between Botswana and Zimbabwean companies.

The forum would target sectors such as agriculture and agro-processing, manufacturing (textiles & clothing, building materials and furniture) and services (tourism and financial Services).

A statement from BITC says there would also be targeted a business-to-business meetings set-up for Botswana companies to engage with their Zimbabwean counterparts for possible joint venture partnerships. Ends