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.
