The Assistant Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr Lebonaamang Mokalake says there are currently nine companies benefiting from the African Growth Opportunity Act (AGOA) dispensation.

Answering a question from Selebi-Phikwe west MP Nonofo Molefhi, Mr Mokalake said the companies mainly export knit wear, T-shirts, pants, tracksuits and sports wear.

He said of these nine companies, five were located in Gaborone, three in Selebi-Phikwe and one in Shashe, adding that those in Gaborone were Caratex, Vision International, Cara Fashions, Cara Apparel and Rising Sun.

Mr Mokalake said those in Selebi-Phikwe were Microlith, Dinesh Textiles and Saphire Textiles, while the one in Shashe is B $ M Garments.

He said the combined total annual turnover of these companies for the period January 2006 to December 2006 was P331 915 373.

Mr Mokalake said of the nine companies, one was 100 per cent citizen-owned (Dinesh Textiles); one was joint venture between a Motswana and a non-citizen (Caratex); and non-citizens owned seven.

Mr Mokalake said his ministry and BEDIA continued to encourage both local and foreign investors to take full advantage of the 6 500 product, which were eligible for export to the American market under AGOA.

Unfortunately, he said no other companies were responding positively, adding that part of the reason might be that the requirements for exporting to the American market under AGOA were quite strict and approved companies were closely monitored to ensure that they do not engage in transshipment.

Mr Molefhi had asked the minister to state the number of manufacturing companies that currently benefit from AGOA and the product range of the said companies.

He also wanted the minister to state their locations, total annual turnover, type of ownership and whether there are any new entities being assisted to benefit from AGOA window.

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)