Batawana Regent Kgosi Kealetile Moremi says for Botswana to be competitive in both regional and international markets there has to be a significant increase in exports.

Kgosi Moremi was speaking at the official opening of a one-day joint venture workshop organised by Botswana Exporters and Manufacturers Association (BEMA) held at Maun Lodge recently.

She said the business community has to work for sustained competitiveness while the government ensures removal of all impediments to allow business growth.

Kgosi Moremi said that in their pursuit of economic diversification it has become more and more imperative that they consider joint ventures as a way forward for Botswana.

She said Botswana has adopted a wide range of policies in order to diversify its economy, adding that the country has entered into multilateral agreements.

Kgosi Moremi said that institutions such as BEDIA, IFSC, BDC, LEA and others are playing a vital role in facilitating trade and investment in the country. He encouraged the business community to take advantage of the institutions.

However, she said the participation of the United States Embassy at the highest level and the support that BEMA received from the Southern African Global Competitiveness Hub shows a serious commitment from the United States companies.

Kgosi Moremi said that Botswana, under the African Growth Opportunity Act (AGOA) has taken advantage of the enormous business opportunities provided by the United States of America.

She however said that this is not enough hence the workshop to assist in establishing more business opportunities.

She said that since the participants will be empowered to negotiate a joint venture agreement they would know which organisations to approach and negotiate with.

A representative of Local Enterprise Authority LEA, Mr Victor said it is intended to create a coordinated and focused statutory one-stop-shop authority. He said that LEA would provide support services to the local SMMEs.

The services included training, mentoring, marketing and technology support for product development. He said the Small Business Act of 2003 states the functions and key deliverables of the organization under section 4 and 23.

He added that LEAs key deliverables include promotion of citizen entrepreneurship, promotion exports and development of a competitive SMME community.

Other deliverables include creation of sustainable employment opportunities and promotion of development of vertical and horizontal linkages between SMME and primary industries in Agriculture, mining and tourism.

Latest AGOA Trade Data currently available on AGOA.info


Click here to view a sector profile of Botswana’s bilateral trade with the United States, disaggregated by total exports and imports, AGOA exports and GSP exports.

Other regularly updated trade statistics on AGOA.info include: (click each link to view)