13 Jul 2024

Assistant Minister of Trade and Industry, Ms Beauty Manake has hailed Selebi Phikwe Trade Fair and Agriculture Expo for making a come back after it was suspended in 2017 following closure of BCL mine. Speaking during the opening of fair in Selebi Phikwe on Thursday, Ms Manake said the trade fair would provide an opportunity for local businesses that were an epitome of resilience to showcase their products and share ideas with other entrepreneurs. She said the fair would go a long way in changing the phase of Selebi Phikwe and improve doing business in the copper mining town. The assistant minister commended Business Botswana for joining hands with Selebi Phikwe Town Council (SPTC) in resuscitating the trade fair, which had been suspended for some years. She, therefore, appealed to the private sector to support local manufacturers by procuring their goods. Ms Manake emphasised that statutory instruments adopted by government to protect local manufacturing industry also applied to private sector hence they were also bound to procure locally. She said SPEDU economic zone had a lot to offer because of a wide array of goods produced in that region citing Personal Protective Equipment and uniform. The assistant minister raised concerns over private companies that continued to import PPE and uniform outside the country yet there were local companies in the SPEDU region that produced such goods. She thus urged Business Botswana to help government deal with such entities. Selebi Phikwe Town Mayor, Mr Lucas Modimana thanked Business Botswana for making the trade fair a reality by bringing private sector to Selebi Phikwe. He said since the closure of the BCL mine, the town had witnessed a period of economic depression resulting in the suspension of the trade fair. Mr Modimana said Selebi Phikwe as a special economic zone offered good opportunities in the agro- processing, manufacturing and tourism sectors. For his part, Business Botswana Chief Executive Officer, Mr Norman Moleele said they had an active business council in Selebi Phikwe. The Local Consultative Council facilitated by Business Botswana, he said met quarterly with the District Commissioner to exchange ideas and facilitate business operations in the district. “This means more participation by the local entrepreneurs. We need to sit down and talk about how we can improve our town,” said Mr Molelele. Furthermore, he said due to global economic challenges Business Botswana tirelessly advocated for policies and reforms that empowered the private sector to drive sustainable job creation and contribute significantly to the Gross Development Product. He said trade fairs like this one were crucial as they provided a platform for local businesses to network, collaborate and explore new opportunities. “It is my sincere oath that this fair will catalyse meaningful partnerships that positively act on the lives of our citizens,” he said. He said Business Botswana had supported many interventions from the government to reduce the import bill and grow the economy, adding that food security and sustainability were paramount under the leadership of President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi. Mr Moleele also thanked all those who contributed to the success of the fair and promised a bigger and better trade fair next year. The fair also witnessed signing of Memorandum of Understanding between Business Botswana and SPTC to solidify their commitment to revitalise the economy of Selebi Phikwe through an annual trade fair and agricultural expo. Ends