Batswana making profit at Expo2020 Dubai
Handicrafts in high demand Displayed diamonds are centre of attraction
Over 155 Botswana products from 68 local companies from across the country are being sold and exhibited at the ongoing global Expo2020 Dubai, which is attended by 192 countries and is expecting about 25 million visitors
Director, Corporate Communications at the Botswana Investment and Trade Centre ( BITC), Kutlo Moagi told Botswana Guardian in an interview that Botswana’s handicrafts are selling like hotcakes on a cold day at the Expo.
“In the first few days we have seen a high demand for Botswana products,” Moagi said.
Moagi said they have seen an overwhelming interest in Botswana by visitors, some being attracted by the ongoing rough and polished diamond display, including striking art pieces and sculptures made by Batswana.
“We continue to receive requests for purchase of the unique sculptures that are part of the exhibition which has created an opportunity for promotion of these artists within the market and we are hoping to create linkages for them”.
Among Botswana’s unique handicrafts that are confirmed to be moving fast in the retail area are baskets, ostrich egg beadwork, and leather products, handbags, and wallets among others.
Besides the handicrafts, Botswana’s pavilion is attracting an overwhelming interest through the display of her best- prized commodity - the rough and polished diamonds internationally renowned for being mined in an environmentally friendly atmosphere and used for development.
The United Arab Emirates ( UAE) government spent about USD7 billion to put up the global expo which is the first in which all the African countries are exhibiting under one roof.
During the opening week, Botswana took along some of her celebrities in the creative industry such as Charma Gal, Ditiro Leepo, and William Last KRM best known as Motsetserepa.
Moagi said key to Botswana’s participation is ensuring that Batswana are informed about the Expo and do not miss out on the business opportunities that the expo presents.
“We have partnered with traditional and social media influencers to support us in increasing our reach to Batswana and bring them on board to participate virtually and where possible physically to take advantage of these opportunities. Our social media influencer is onboard to support our efforts in this regard”.
Through planned business- to- business meetings, BITC will reach out to potential buyers for the promotion of Botswana’s products for import into the market. “We are confident that we will make inroads as we have had previous engagements with the market,” Moagi said confidently.
During the official launch of the Botswana Pavilion at the Expo2020 Dubai, Minister of Investment, Trade, and Industry, Mmusi Kgafela announced and launched a local business competition named “Are Kopaneng”, to create a key connection between the local audience and Botswana activities at Expo2020.
Kgafela said it is targeted at the local business community. The competition aims to challenge local businesses to showcase their products and business acumen, in order to identify one that can go and take advantage of the opportunities for engagement and business in Dubai.
The winner will get an opportunity to participate in the showcases, business- to- business engagements, and other business amenities at Expo2020 in March 2021. The anticipated outcome is for the winner to take advantage of all the business opportunities and establish B2B connections to grow their business. A key aspect is that the winner should be someone ready to grow and enter the export market. More information on this competition can be found on www. arekopaneng. brandbotswana. co. bw Kgafela said in 2019, the government heeded the invitation of the UAE to participate in the Expo 2020, Dubai. This was motivated by the support extended by the UAE government to enable Botswana’s full participation.
The offer presented an invaluable opportunity for Botswana to be a part of this global business and cultural event that is expected to immensely contribute to Botswana’s transformation agenda.
“When this offer was presented to us, we saw trade and investment opportunities and immediately engaged in preparation to participate through the BITC, our leading domestic and international investment promotion agency”. With over 190 countries participating, the Expo2020 Dubai provides an excellent platform for developing business connections, opening new markets, and identifying diversified revenue streams.
In this era when the whole world is dealing with the Covid- 19 pandemic aftermath, which is still hovering around world economies, a platform such as the Expo2020 becomes even more opportune to rekindle business connections, reignite economies and drive Foreign Direct Investment ( FDI).
Kgafela said the opportunity trickles further down to businesses in Botswana as they also have a global platform to make new connections with potential business partners, buyers, and distributors through Business to Business ( B2B) meetings.
“I urge our SMEs to take advantage of the Expo to catalyse on collaborations, stimulate innovation and create tangible opportunities in trade and investment”.
Kgafela described the Pavilion as the heart of Botswana’s participation in the Expo. “Through it we are telling Botswana’s story, showcasing Botswana’s beauty and highlighting what Botswana as a country has to offer”.
Within the Pavilion the world is reminded that Botswana is still, 55 years on, a stable, peaceful country that one can, and should do business with; with a high commitment to sound fiscal policy, economic freedom, as well as a gateway into the massive market of Africa. “Our tourism offering still stands out as unique and conservation- driven. We promote our tangible and intangible culture through the showcasing of our crafts as well as our people”.