BITC looks to boost exports to Mozambique
Staff Writer | Tuesday August 29, 2017 17:00
The fair takes place from August 28 to September 3, 2017 as an annual international event presenting a mutli-sectorial meeting point for producers, investors, importers, exporters and buyers. “This will allow the participating companies an opportunity to explore market opportunities and increase international market share.
The main objective for participating at the International Trade Fair is to drive the promotion of Botswana products in the international markets, with the intention of possible realistic export opportunities as well as to strengthen trade relations and the potential economic integration of Botswana and Mozambique,” BITC states.
Companies participating at the fair include the Botswana Meat Commission (BMC), Ditec Mobile Botswana, Makoro Bricks, Actfit Architectural Solutions, Arona Natural Foods, Impact Genetics and the Women in Business Association (WIBA). Organised by IPEX Mozambique, the international fair attracts over 85,000 visitors with a total of 32 countries taking part at the 2016 edition.
BITC says it planned this mission with the intent to expose Botswana products to the international map and provide market access and trade opportunities in not only Mozambique but also in the Southern African Development Community region and globally.
The fair attracts exhibitors from countries such as Germany, France, Portugal, South Africa, Turkey, Zambia, China and Swaziland. The centre has also previously taken local companies to similar fairs in the region and beyond in a bid to promote exports. BITC is mandated to not only spearhead the growth of Botswana’s exports but also to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) as well as domestic investment.
According to BITC’s 2016 annual report, they achieved an overall annual organisation performance of 90% on the corporate scorecard “despite intensified international competition for FDI”. Their targeted investment promotion efforts resulted in a total capital investment amounting to P3.12 billion exceeding the annual target of P1.6 billion.
From the total capital investment achieved, FDI companies contributed P1.49 billion while business expansions and domestic investments contributed P377 million and P1.25 billion respectively. Total employment of 1,703 jobs resulted from these investments.
BITC says its export portfolio exceeded its target of P2 billion reaching a total generated export value of P2.1 billion contributed by 44 BITC client companies exporting 36 product lines.