EU Envoy happy with Business Forum

The European Union Delegation in Botswana convened a small gathering of members of the local Press Tuesday afternoon to share the outcomes of the just-ended EU-Botswana Business Forum.

EU Ambassador Petra Pereyra had in tow the newly-arrived members of the Delegation – Dionyz Hochel, who takes over from Sylvia, whose tenure has ended and the Danish young lady, Vilma, who is currently acting in the Political Affairs and Press portfolio.

Conspicuous by his absence was Bester Gabotlale whose contract with the Delegation has also ended. The Press corps enjoyed representation from across board – radio, print and digital - save that the official Press from Radio Botswana and Btv, was not present.

The meeting place was the fabulous 267 Kitchen & Bar owned by James Briscoe, a restaurant that serves some of the best spare ribs – and the atmosphere was laid back.

Ambassador Pereyra told The Midweek Sun after the short lunch that she was happy with the outcome of the business forum, which was jointly organised with Botswana Investment and Trade Centre (BITC).

She was happy that 50 companies from Europe attended the forum as did some 300 delegates drawn from chambers of commerce, governments and Ambassadors. Her main concern is to follow up these European companies with the hope that they’ll eventually set up in Botswana.

Ambassador Pereyra’s message and core mandate for EU-Botswana partnership has remained consistent – she wants to see job creation and economic diversification. Hopefully, the Business Forum, replete with its high-stakes engagements, will produce the desired results.

However, she did not commit to making the Forum an annual event, it will depend on the feedback they get from Batswana and BITC, as well as the EU.