Global Expo targets 200 exhibitors
Boitshepo Majube | Wednesday November 13, 2013 17:10
So far, 170 clients of the targeted 200 have confirmed participation in the expo whose theme is: 'Promoting Investment Through Innovative Business Partnerships and Trade'. Acting chief executive officer of Botswana Investment and Trade Centre (BITC), Letsebe Sejoe has said there is a lot of interest in the country after the relocation of DTC to Gaborone. He said firms from countries like Turkey and Germany have expressed interest in setting up in Botswana.
He said that for two years in a row, diamond companies have participated in the expo and this year is no exception. 'There are diamond companies that have already confirmed their attendance at this year's expo, Shrenuj being one of them,' Sejoe stated.
At this year's expo, BITC says their intention is to graduate Botswana business to value addition. Sejoe stated that they will be high-level guest speakers from South Africa, Mozambique, Kenya and Botswana at the expo.
'There will be eight plenary sessions that will take place, as we try and promote our hubs,' he said. He stated that the focus is on promotion of investment opportunities within the identified areas in the six hubs of education, health, agriculture, diamond, mining and innovation.
The expo is expected to give Batswana businesspeople opportunity to network and forge relations with those from other countries. 'This is a good platform for local businesses that they should capitalise on in forging relations with their foreign counterparts,' he stated. The expo is expected to stimulate intra-regional businesses and trade exchange.
'It will help businesses to explore new markets, and afford businesses to close partnership deals and joint ventures,' Sejoe said. He stated that some businesses will be able to meet buyers of their products. He said the cumulative estimated value of this year's expo is P100 million.