Dubai expo offers investment opportunities

Pauline Dikuelo | Monday September 20, 2021 06:00

The six months expo which starts on October 1 and ends on March 31 next year will feature about 190 countries.

The Centre’s executive director, Brand Management Kutlo Moagi told Mmegi that the country’s participation in the expo will create new markets for local products, enhance business match making and business deals as well as market Botswana as a brand to the world through cultural performances and demonstrations.

“Botswana is participating in Expo 2020 Dubai to take advantage of the world stage based on the unique selling points. The Expo is a unique business platform to attract investment, forge agreements and promote international cooperation,” she said.

In addition, Moagi said it provides a platform that allows start-ups from across the country to catalyse collaborations, stimulate innovation and create tangible opportunities in trade, innovation and investment. Further the expo will present an opportunity for Botswana businesses to make new connections with potential business partners, buyers and distributors

Botswana will be participating in different formats as it will have a dedicated country pavilion that showcases products proudly made in Botswana. The Pavillion will have a mini shop which will sell proudly made in Botswana products such as artefacts, clothing items, pottery items, baskets, leather products and a wide range of other home-made products. The Products include watches, art paintings, diamonds and diamond replicas, soda ash, coal and traditional dolls, jewellery, semi precious stones, sculptures, to mention but a few.

“Ordinary Batswana have already benefited from this Expo. The products to be sold have been will be bought from the various manufacturers in Botswana. There will be business to business engagements where the business community and stakeholders from Botswana will have business engagements with others from other countries through the business platforms provided by both BITC and Expo 2020,” she said.

Moagi said Botswana will take advantage of the Expo to host various events aimed and luring investors and finding market for products. These include Investment and Trade Conference, Innovation Pitch Event. There will be live performances on the various expo performance areas and in the Botswana pavilion.

Botswana is working with various stakeholders to make the country’s participation a success. The stakeholders include Botswana Chefs Association, Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Sport and Culture Development, De Beers Group, Diamond Trading Company Botswana, Lucara Diamond, Okavango Diamond Company (ODC), Botswana Innovation Hub (BIH), BUIST, CEDA, BDC, BITRI, etc. The stakeholders are participating in various way such as availing products such as diamonds and replicas for exhibition in the Pavilion.