BITC Gets Behind #PushaBW Momentum
Pauline Dikuelo | Tuesday August 10, 2021 06:00
This has been promoted through the #PushaBW campaign, which utilised an Integrated Marketing Communications approach. As at March 2020, local purchases constituted 84% of the total procurement with foreign purchases at 16%.
According to BITC CEO Kelotsositse Olebile, the #PushaBW campaign’s main aim is to get local products in as many outlets and platforms as possible for locals to access them easily. “As the #PushaBW campaign gains momentum, there will be a deliberate effort to facilitate listing of local products in retail stores as well as on e-commerce platforms,” he said. Olebile said Brand Botswana continues to work with various stakeholders in the market to give local companies more visibility and to drive the Buy Botswana campaign forward with a focus on increasing retailer uptake of local products.
In 2019, Brand Botswana partnered with Botswana Tourism Organisation (BTO) where 15 local companies showcased their products to local and international buyers during the Botswana Travel and Tourism Expo. Brand Botswana has also partnered with Trans Africa Cash and Carry to host a SMMEs Expo where a total of 30 companies participated from which 13 were identified for their products to go onto the shelves of Trans Cash and Carry and for use at Room 52 Hotel and Table 52 Restaurant. “Brand Botswana officially commenced work on the Makoro Food Market project to turn the Makoro cordon fence/bus stop into a ‘Home of local foods’. The project is being executed by the Elephant Projects, a 100% locally youth-owned company.
At completion the project is to have eight containers sheltering 50 vendors in the Makoro area,” he said. Brand Botswana brought on board Debswana Diamond Company, Botswana Telecommunications Corporation Limited, Morupule Colliery and Makoro Bricks as partners in the project, each with a financial contribution to help meet the P2.6 million project budget.