09 May 2024

The Doing Business in Botswana Forum has reinforced Botswana’s commitment to foster stronger and mutually beneficial relations with the United States of America and private sector.

This was said by President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi when delivering a keynote address at the Doing Business in Botswana forum in Dallas, the US on Wednesday.

“My presence as the head of state of Botswana should be an expression of confidence to you. I came all the way to meet you. We mean business,” he said.

Thus, he assured delegates who attended the forum of clear intention by government to weclome them to invest. 

He further gave the US a pat on the back for recommitting to partner with African countries in their development efforts.

Moreover, he thanked the Corporate Council on Africa for being the bridge that linked Africa and the US through the US-Africa summit year in and year out without fail.

Furthermore, President Masisi said to remain globally competitive and the investors’ destination of choice, Botswana had moved with speed to create a board of investment.

Moreover, he said the country had over the years rated highly in the global competitive index and was stable and therefore investment friendly.

“Let me assure you that our democratic and investment-friendly Botswana is positioned to become a launch pad for doing business in Africa through our unrivalled good governance, macro-economic and political stability,” he said.

He also informed the delegates that Botswana had just sealed a partnership with the Massachusetts Institute for Technology to unlock the capacity of the youth to innovate.

Botswana like the rest of the world was in line with global call to do away with carbon emissions and embrace green energy technology, an area President Masisi said presented an opportunity for investment in the Southern African country.

Green technologies, according to President Masisi, would go a long way at not only cutting down carbon emissions but would also help create decent jobs for Batswana and inject money into the economy.

Rail and road networks, airports and ICT infrastructure, he said were also potential areas and enablers that Botswana was seeking investors to consider.

When welcoming delegates, Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr Mmusi Kgafela acknowledged efforts by the US government to relook into its international economic policy and trade collaboration with Africa especially the resolve to improve infrastructure in Africa.

He said Infrastructure development would help supply chains. 

“The US government has also promised to support innovation and entrepreneurship, which in essence means investing in the people of Africa,” he said.

On existing opportunities for partnerships, Minister Kgafela said a great deal ought to be done in the areas of food security, climate change, trade and investment, health, renewable energies and many more.

 “It is for this reason that we have brought with us the private sector contingent so that you can network with and stimulate business ideas,” he said.

For his part, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dr Lemogang Kwape gave President Masisi and government a pat on the back for the extraordinary development path they had embarked upon.

He encouraged delegates to continue having conversations with Botswana companies with a view to set up companies for the betterment of the people of Botswana.

“What you got here is just a teaser, a tip of the iceberg, come to Botswana and go deeper into the iceberg,” he said encouraging delegates to take the important decision of establishing networks with Botswana companies or even setting up in the country.

Various government departments and parastatals such as the Ministry of Agriculture, CEDA, BITC and Debswana were allowed to pitch to the delegates, an undertaking they did well.

Individual Botswana Companies, including HB Botswana, which gave a testimony of the harmony of doing business in Botswana, were given the platform to sell themselves to potential investors.  ends