Global Expo Botswana launched recently at the Fairgrounds Holdings, Gaborone under the theme ‘harnessing the power of emerging markets for economic growth’.
The expo, slated to end on 9 August, features several key events such as Private Business Growth Awards, Hackathon, Investment Battlefield, Exhibition, and Workshops among others.
The official opening was graced by the President of the Republic of Botswana, Dr. Mokgweetsi E.K Masisi, the former President of the Republic of Botswana, Mr. Festus G. Mogae, the Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry, Honourable Bogolo Joy Kenewendo and other key Government Officials.
Also in attendanc were Heads of Diplomatic Missions, Assistant Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry, Honourable Karabo Socraat Gare, former Cabinet Minister, David Magang, Members of Parliament, the Board of BITC, Permanent Secretaries and Senior Government officials.
Speaking at the event, the Honourable Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Bogolo Joy Kenewendo said, “This year marks the 7th Botswana Investment and Trade Centre Conference as well as the 14th Global Expo Botswana, and added that the Conference is an important part of the annual Global Expo Botswana. She emphasizes that GEB is major trade and investment platform offering exhibitions an opportunity to do business in one of Africa’s stable and fastest growing economies as well as the Southern African region.
For his part, the President of the Republic of Botswana – Dr. Mokgweetsi E.K Masisi stated that, “In an endeavor to integrate into the global economy, Botswana continues to reposition herself in her trade linkages with the largest emerging markets in Africa, notably Kenya, Egypt , Nigeria and South Africa. In this regard, Botswana has signed the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the East African Community (EAC) and the Common Market for East and Southern Africa (COMESA) Tripartite Agreement as well as the recently launched African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), which will go a long way in changing the way we do business in Africa. In order to realize the benefits from these agreements and achieve accelerated growth, Botswana’s Industrial Development agenda presents an opportunity for integration into regional and global value chains within these emerging markets.”
