Inaugural Exporters Expo attracts 60 exhibitors

LERATO MALEKE
Correspondent | Thursday June 6, 2013 00:00

In a media briefing this week, Botswana Exporters and Manufacturers Association (BEMA) vice-president, Buzwani Manyepedza said the exposition is meant to promote products and services manufactured locally. It aims to expose all manufacturing and exporting companies; and service providers to procurement officers in government, private sector and NGOs. 'As the country diversifies, it becomes more and more imperative for both government and private sector to play a pivotal role in ensuring the essence of using locally produced goods, thereby reducing the import bill and creating opportunities for locally produced goods and services,' he explained.

He said the key issues in the exposition are to build strong relationships between buyers and suppliers and to enhance local market access and rapid growth in the manufacturing sector through networking. The fair is supposed to identify and expose all manufacturing companies in Botswana and empower local manufacturers through high powered workshops. It is meant to assist SMMEs, which are export ready to find markets in the region and beyond. 'Other issues are to equip various purchasing and supply units and ministries with information on what is produced locally and identify the gaps in doing business on the local market,' said Manyepedza.Moreover, the exposition aims to equip manufacturers on business principles and legislative requirements.Procurement officers from government and parastatals are expected to attend. The exhibition is open to the public and entry is free. Manyepedza disclosed that on June 21, a one-day workshop will be held concurrently with the exhibition.

Standard Chartered Bank and Botswana Investment Trade Centre (BITC) will conduct the workshop with the theme 'Turning the wheel of diversification by accessing the local market'. Manyepedza said the workshop will address pertinent issues that affect the export and manufacturing sector. It will be open to procurement officers, exhibitors and non-exhibitors. 'At least 200 delegates are expected to attend,' said acting BEMA executive director, Sthembile Dube.She said a grand finale gala dinner and awards ceremony will be held to wrap up the exposition with entertainment and networking for the exhibitors, CEOs, senior government officials and dignitaries. The criteria for awards will be based on the presentation of the stall, successful projects (market penetration), and successful entrepreneurs - those from SMMEs. 'The awards will also be based on corporate governance and social responsibilities,' said Dube. Judges will be BEMA executives, auditors and finance experts.

BEMA, formerly known as Exporters Association of Botswana (EAOB) is an umbrella body for companies and people involved in manufacturing, exporting and processing of goods and services. It seeks to ensure that exporters of goods and services have the competence to achieve desired market access and sustain competitiveness and to induce the expansion of production of export related products and professional service. 'We also aim to assist our members to derive the benefits of bilateral/multilateral agreements such as SACU, SADC-MERCUSUR, SACU-EFTA, SADC Protocol and EU-ACP,' she said. BEMA treasurer, Boyd Luwe said BEMA members benefit from tailor-made services and programmes like export counselling, business consultancy; workshops or effective training; advocacy/representation; promoting joint ventures; and conducting factory visits. BEMA representatives sit on several government committees including NEMIC, NCTPN, HLCC Sectoral meetings, and SADC National Committee and NDP 10 preparations committee. Dube said any persons or organisation actively involved in manufacturing, processing, value addition activities, or providing service related to manufacturing or processing is entitled to be a member.