Over 250 exhibitors for Global Expo 2010

FREDERICK KEBADIRETSE
Staff Writer | Thursday November 4, 2010 00:00

 

The annual trade exhibition organised by the Botswana Export Development and Investment Authority (BEDIA) is expecting more exhibitors, visitors and revenue after undergoing a slight slump last year due to the economic recession.

Speaking at a press briefing on Wednesday, BEDIA Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Jacob Nkate, said the number of exhibitors this year is expected to rise to 250 from 160 last year and 200 exhibitors have already confirmed their bookings for stalls while the remaining stalls are expected to be booked by November 12 when bookings close.

Six thousand (6, 000) visitors are expected to throng the exhibition at the Gaborone Fairgrounds, up from last year's 4, 709. Business generated from the expo is also expected to increase from P48.6 million in 2009 to P60 million this year.

With 74, local exhibitors continue to top the list, followed by South Africa at 60. Brazil will be the largest participant from outside Africa with 25 exhibitors, followed by India with 14 exhibitors.

Other exhibitors will be coming from as far as Bangladesh, Pakistan, Japan and Poland. Altogether there will be 15 countries represented at this year's expo. Last year, BEDIA appointed special agents to promote the prestigious annual exhibition in the broader international market.

The first three days of the expo will be strictly for business visits where there will be workshops, buyer-seller meetings, investment forums and seminars. The expo will be open to the public on the last day, which will be a Saturday, when selling of the exhibits will be allowed.

There are some interesting new features lined up for the 2010 Global Expo, among them entertainment by local artists, a kiddies' park and a playstation tournament. This year's Global Expo will be held under the theme Building Strategic Partnerships and Opportunities Beyond The Economic Crisis.

Former Minister of Trade and Industry, Neo Moroka (now with DeBeers) will be the guest of honour at the Global Expo 2010 while the incumbent minister, Dorcus Makgato-Malesu, will be among the dignitaries.