Chinese firms to build massive industrial park

The project is funded by two Chinese companies, Daheng Holdings Group and Touch International Holdings Group, for US$52 million. The Phakalane Industrial Park will be the first phase of the project, which will major in textiles and clothing products. The Daheng Group anticipates that 66 companies from all over the world will build factories in the park, creating 8,000 jobs.

Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony, the Managing Director of Touch International, He Liehui, related how the China-Botswana Economic and Trade Cooperation Area (CBETCA) was founded. Liehui said the project was conceived in November 2006 during the China-Africa Summit in Beijing when former president, Festus Mogae, encouraged the two companies to come to Botswana to build an industrial park. The project is expected to generate US$280 million in foreign revenue. Liehui acknowledged the "great support" from government for the project.