Botswana companies participate at Mozambique Fair
Correspondent | Wednesday September 7, 2016 15:08
BITC took along seven companies; Thompson Medical, Botswana Meat Commission (BMC), Flotek, Nortex, DitecMobile, GabzBedding and artist Akanyang Doris Ntshingane to participate at the Fair held last week in Maputo, Mozambique.
The Botswana products promotion mission is part of BITC’s continued efforts to help Botswana companies break through into the international markets; to showcase their products and services. As part of the mission, BITC organises targeted meetings for the companies to meet with prospective buyers, retailers, distributors and possible partners.
BMC sales and marketing officer, Tshepo Modise said the mission was worthwhile as they exposed the BMC brand to the Mozambiquan market and also had several meetings with potential buyers and distributors. He said this was the first time they actively marketed in Mozambique and they will definitely do follow ups in the market as they have seen that there is potential and interest in the market. Ditec’s Thatayaone Dichaba said this was a fruitful mission for them. “Given that it was the first time here, the response was overwhelming. I have had meetings with mobile companies; Vodacom, MCel and Movitel, as well as one big distributor, who have all shown interest in the product,” he said. Dichaba said he will be sending quotations to some of them, who have already shown strong interest to procure some handsets. Dichaba said there is a huge opportunity in Mozambique.
He also appreciated BITC for the support and opportunity to showcase their products as well as for the pre-arranged meetings with possible buyers. Ditec currently sells to Uganda and is in the process of doing the same with Namibia, Kenya, Tanzania and now Mozambique. The company’s vision is to be the biggest pan-African mobile phone brand in the next five years.
BITC undertook the mission to promote the country, through Botswana products, as well as to expose Botswana companies to the Mozambique market. BITC director (export development and promotion) Maxwell Mosinyi said this is yet another initiative that they undertake to assist promote the country and expose Botswana products to the rest of the world.
He said however small such missions are, they do make an impact and continue to expose local companies to foreign markets, in the process opening up opportunities for Botswana companies.
He implored other companies to always take up such invitations when invited to be a part of such Botswana missions. “We went there to promote Botswana and Botswana products, and it was indeed a worthwhile undertaking. Hopefully, some of the companies will sign deals and sell to Mozambique,” he said.
FACIM is one of the region’s business and networking platforms that BITC has identified to promote Botswana companies and their products, as well as to explore possible market opportunities.