Conference To Expose Botswana Businesses To Canadian Market
Pauline Dikuelo | Monday February 25, 2019 13:26
The two-day meet, which will be held at the Gaborone International Convention Centre from March 26-27, will help local industries on ways of tapping into North American market.
According to the event organiser, Soapbox Communications Partner Vuyiswa Mojela, the Canadian government will share its financial incentives to support Batswana and SADC companies exporting to North America, through Canada.
She said all delegates attending the conference would have their businesses profiled not only at the conference, but also to the 6,000 members of Canada-Africa Chamber of business database who have their eyes on trade and business in Africa, mostly on SADC. “The Canada-Africa Chamber of Business recognises the wide range of opportunities that lie ahead. Canada has more free trade agreements within any other country in the developed world and as a result is a base for access to the United States, Europe and Japan,” he said.
Vice President, Slumber Tsogwane is expected to officially open the conference while the Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry, Bogolo Kenewendo will deliver the keynote address.
One of the speakers at the event is Michael Wilkerson of Fairfax Capital who manages a $500 million fund aimed at assisting sectors like mining, hotels and resorts, health, manufacturing, energy and agro-energy. Locally based Canadian engineering and management-consulting firm, Hatch, is the premier sponsor for the two-day gathering while the Ministry of Health and Wellness including Mine Africa is the diamond sponsors of the event.
Toronto is the biggest city-region in Canada and third largest in North America, alongside New York City and Los Angeles.
It is the most diverse city in the world with over six million people.
“The Fraser Institute in Canada has shown business across North America and the world that Botswana has consistently ranked highest on the annual Economic Freedom of the World Report since it was first published decades ago. Canadians who recognise this fact are excited to find local partners,” Mojela said.