DubaiExpo2020 promises massive return on investment

Participation at global showcase yields dividends in investment and jobs

Officials of the Botswana Investment and Trade Centre ( BITC) are buoyant and beaming with confidence that Botswana’s participation at the global expo in Dubai, UAE, will yield a return on investment.

Here is why.

BITC says that Sheetal Diamond Company has shown interest to set up a Diamond cutting and polishing facility in Botswana at an envisaged investment of USD 5million and creating 150 jobs.

Sheetal has already secured a factory shell with the intention to start operations in early 2022. There is also Dubai Multi Commodity Company of Ahmed Sultan Bin Sulayem, which has pledged support in ensuring that Emirates have direct flights to Botswana.

According to BITC’s update to the media, at least 10 companies have expressed interest to list on the Botswana Stock Exchange.

A semi- precious stones jewellery manufacturer Diarough Diamonds – Botswana has revealed its expansion plans to employ 150 workers by 2022 with additional investment of P20 million.

During the Diamond Viewing and Auction, the Okavango Diamond Company held a successful Diamond auction sale and made $ 110 million while showcasing Botswana’s real diamonds virtually.

There is also the Al Rawabi Dairy Farm, which has expressed interest to set up a dairy facility in Botswana. The Company has more than 18 000 dairy cows in Dubai.

At the company level, Shaikh Hussain Finance House has expressed interest to fund businesses across all sectors at minimum US$ 50 million, while the Advika Jungle Villas have ready investors interested in African market to diversify from their current tourism and hospitality portfolio.

The Pure Pearl Gold Trading, which manufactures gold jewellery, has shown Interest to source diamonds from Botswana and to be facilitated to undertake a site visit to Botswana. The Investor has another company that sells luxury cars called Alain Class Motors.

Mohammad Abu Raqabah of Sama International Co. is a ready investor in Botswana meat export to Kuwait. The investor only has to write an official letter to Botswana expressing interest in Botswana beef. According to BITC, there is a possible partnership with an existing goat meat exporter to Saudi Arabia.

BITC is confident that the Expo2020Dubai will provide a platform for economic recovery as well as provide new markets for Botswana products. It will attract investment for marketready innovation projects as well as promote partnership between Botswana innovators and the rest of the world.

In turn this will build capacity of the country’s research institutes and researchers through bench learning. Above all it has promoted Botswana as a destination for tech start- ups and this is expected to propel Botswana’s aspiration of digital transformation.

It is projected that the Expo will Increase the number of tourists visiting Botswana from the UAE by 5percent. Already, 20 Tour Operators have been introduced to UAE market and are serving the Arab market for visits to Botswana.

As for Small Businesses and Start- Ups, four ( 4) Batswana owned companies have been introduced to the UAE market. The Local Enterprise Authority ( LEA) coordinated the District 2020 Global Entrepreneurship Programme which has assisted Small Businesses and Start- Ups to scale up production within and to Dubai.

It is envisaged that after Expo 2020 SMMEs would be allowed to run their business at Expo 2020 premises for a period of two ( 2) years.