Investment Symposium On The Cards
Staff Writer | Monday February 6, 2017 16:50
Dubbed, the “Investment Symposium on 50 Years of Doing Business in Botswana” under the theme, “Then, now and beyond: Our economic journey”, the two-day event is organised by a local company called 50 Years of Economics and Business.
According to the company’s business development partner, Archie Oyega Thembe, the primary objective of the event is to conduct a holistic review of Botswana’s economic, investment, development and business environment, using a six sector approach being; ICT, manufacturing, mining, financial services, energy, tTourism and entrepreneurship, with a view of regenerating interest on the identified sectors.
“In the same vein the event is also being developed to position Botswana as the ideal place for doing business by showcasing her strong points and also providing impetus on areas she intends improving on,” he said. Thembe noted that the symposium, which is being delivered in partnership with the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry, could not have come at a better time given the recent challenges the economy has been facing.
Further to being an opportunity to look back, Thembe said the event will also have an exhibition of a select few large scale start-up and expanding projects that are bound to significantly alter the landscape of the Botswana economy going into the future.
“The event will also give the much needed exposure on Botswana as it will have coverage from the international media through partnerships that the promoters have been able to clinch,” he said.
Thembe also indicated that when Botswana attained Independence, it had very little economic and industrial resources. However, through prudent management of its natural resources and the national economy, Botswana has managed to realise massive economic development, industrialisation and citizen economic empowerment that have over the years earned it the accolade of avoiding the infamous Dutch disease.
Despite having achieved tremendous economic growth, the economy of Botswana has been characterised by well-documented structural challenges which has made it susceptible to various shocks, especially those that affect the mining sector with devastating effects, most notably retrenchments.
The event has identified and approached all key speakers in the country including the Vice President, Mokgweetsi Masisi who has been invited to officially open the symposium.
The project has attracted international contingency of facilitators and delegates. International audience will comprise speakers from Moody’s Rating Agency, International Trade Centre (ITC), United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), Nascence Research, World Bank, Barclays Africa, International Organisation of Securities Commission and a number of European regional representatives within Africa.
The event will have presentations on the evolution of various aspects of the economy and how they affect their industries and sectors.
The event will be used to discuss and cascade various tools used for development such as Vision 2036, NDP 11, Doing Business road map and various trade protocols Botswana is party to.
The outcome of the deliberations, being recommendations and action items, will be shared with the Government of Botswana through the National Strategy Office for incorporation into various legislations and policies