FNB, BEMA launch e-card

MPHO TLALE
Correspondent | Friday December 17, 2010 00:00

Known as BEMA Business E-Card, it has been described as 'a multimedia marketing tool designed to expose the capability of companies established in Botswana in a visual and interactive manner, showcasing a true picture of the country's immense potential'.Speaking at the launch in Gaborone yesterday, the Minister of Trade and Industry, Dorcus Makgato-Malesu, said the e-card is a welcome initiative that demonstrates BEMA's commitment to fulfilling its mandate of export development.

She congratulated BEMA and said when a BEMA team first showed her the e-card concept during its initial stages, she embraced it as a brilliant idea and did not hesitate to confirm her ministry's support for it.

The e-card could be regarded as the first e-ambassador of Botswana's trade and commerce to the world because it will be distributed to Botswana's foreign missions and feature on the agenda of trade missions and exhibitions around the globe, she added.

Makgato-Malesu revealed that the BEMA and FNB partnership would go further and lead to a trading portal in the form of an export house.

Also speaking at the launch, BEMA president Booker Bannister said the ever-increasing demand in the business and manufacturing environment dictated that producers and service providers were well informed, professional and highly competitive in order to remain in business.

Bannister pointed out that the initiative of the e-card was meant to overcome challenges that came with strengthening BEMA's participation in the global economy.

The BEMA e-card is shaped like the map of Botswana. It is an interactive CD that will showcase BEMA members and their products and services. The CD will also have images of Botswana, video clips and virtual tours aimed at attracting and encouraging foreign investors to either visit or invest in Botswana.

The Head of Commercial Banking at FNBB, Boiki Bema, said the 'exciting partnership' seeks to advance economic growth and diversification.

Bema said international trade is taking the centre-stage as businesses seek new territories to expand their client bases. This should, in turn, be taken seriously in Botswana for local businesses to expand their operations and seek new trade frontiers abroad.