Mauritian and Botswana IT outfit launched

BABOKI KAYAWE
Staff Writer | Monday March 21, 2011 00:00

 

A Mauritian and Namibian hybrid known as SILNAM is a minority shareholder in SILBOTS. SIL Mauritius was incorporated in 1989 and provides a large array of ICT services and solutions.

Speaking at the launch of the company at GICC last Wednesday, SILBOTS Chairman Ashveen Kissoonah said Botswana's stable political environment, low tax rates, good infrastructure and good industrial relations had attracted the Mauritian investors whose company has a 20-year IT legacy.

'At around 9 percent prior to the global rescession, Botswana had one of the world's highest economic growth rates,' said Kissoonah. The company's mission was to foster regional growth and development of ICT in order to service industry through best practices. 'This will strengthen our association through the sharing and transfer of technology, knowledge, professional development and critical information,' he noted.

Speaking at the same occasion, the Minister of Transport and Communications, Frank Ramsden, said the launch of SIL Mauritius in Botswana was testimony to SADC's commitment to the reduction of the digital divide between North and South.

'With an increase in mines and other infrastructure projects, SIL is expected to provide turnkey solutions in the field of ICT in the country,' Ramsden said.  Mauritian Minister of Information and Communications Technology, Tassarajen Pillay Chedumbrum, said the two countries were fulfilling the AU's mandate of promoting cooperation and regional integration.

He explained that his government was committed to transforming Mauritius into a knowledge-based economy by increasing the efficiency of various priority sectors such as education, health, industry and tourism.