Global Expo hailed as economic accelerator
Pauline Dikuelo | Monday October 16, 2023 06:00
This year, the expo also features the inaugural European Union-Botswana Business Forum.
Officially launching the 17th edition of the showcase on Wednesday, President Mokgweetsi Masisi said the expo offers an opportunity for delegates to discuss issues of sustainability under the European Union Global Gateway project, which includes broader topics under climate change, as well as boosting the competitiveness of global supply chains.
The President said the issues pencilled in for discussion are of fundamental importance to Botswana, as the country seeks ways to sustainably harvest from the environment in areas such as renewable energy for human and economic development.
"The immediate opportunity is that it offers prospects for strong future bilateral as well as continental partnerships,” Masisi said of the expo. “Such partnerships, if properly harnessed, stand to be very instrumental in addressing the critical shortages we face regarding specific economic enablers for the movement of goods and services.”
He further told participants that Botswana is open to receiving foreign direct investment from Europe and across the globe, highlighting that the economic enablers of interest include suitable road networks, railway lines, and airports as well as the necessary digital infrastructure to enable the connectivity that is required for innovation and knowledge-based industries to thrive and have an impact.
For his part, Trade and Investment minister, Mmusi Kgafela said the Expo promotes trade and investment between the EU and Botswana through several dialogues that will be held across the three days. He said over the years, the expo has been providing an opportunity to explore market access and joint venture opportunities.
“This expo provides a platform for local companies to interact with international counterparts to create long-term business relations. “We would like to witness the signing of long-term investment and partnership deals, which is particularly important as trade investment between Botswana and the EU remains weak and undiversified,” he said.
The EU has availed six million Euros to enhance the capacity of Botswana’s public and private sectors to reap the benefits of the EU-SADC Economic Partnership Agreement, the main trade platform between the two.