BITC wins award for supporting exporters

award ceremony at Boardwalk Convention Centre, Gqeberha, Eastern Cape in South Africa said the Award will boost morale within the Agency. “The award recognises the hard work and achievements that team BITC has realised in executing its mandate. It also boosts our employee’s morale as it recognises their contribution to Botswana’s economy. Furthermore, we believe the award will also attract new clients to choose to utilize our services,” noted the elated Gabonthone. BITC Chief Executive Officer, Kelotsositse Olebile is also over the moon that they have managed to scoop the award ahead of other peers in the region. “We innovatively attract investment and facilitate export to stimulate economic diversification and job creation in the country by promoting Botswana as a place to visit, live and invest,” he said.

Through the export and development and promotion function, BITC actively promotes locally manufactured goods to regional and international markets. The function also carries out both outward and inward Trade and Investment Missions through which local companies are given an opportunity to solicit partnerships with foreign investors and canvas sale of these produce to prospective buyers outside the country. In addition, BITC offers a range of services to assist local manufacturing and service companies to access export markets. These services include export advisory services, trade show attendance, buyer/ seller missions and provision of market intelligence. Over the past ten years that BITC has been in existed, it has assisted companies with export potential to acquire quality management systems relevant to their sectors. The certification provides assurance to clients that the product, service or system in question meets specific requirements. Secondly, BITC, which falls under the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry also offers Fairtrade Certification which basically promotes responsible business, conscious consumerism, and shared value to eliminate poverty and enable sustainable development for businesses, workers, their families, and communities around the world. In addition, BITC also offers services such as Export Marketing Plans which assists companies to develop exporting plans to guide efforts to successfully participate in export markets as well as Export Short Courses with the University of Botswana. The agency also assists with listing on United Nations ( UN) Procurement System. The supply of products to the UN is seen as a step towards participating in export markets. BITC runs the flagship, Botswana Exporter Development Programme which is aimed at increasing exports through the targeted interventions. Within same programme exists a component of Supplier Development Programme, whereby companies are assisted to get into the supply chain of retail, wholesale and other chain store operators both locally and regionally. BITC continues to implement a robust export promotion programme in line with the National Export Strategy. Exporting companies which benefited from the BITC services realised P2.96 billion in export earnings during the period from April 2020 to March 2021. The main products exported were swamp cruiser boats, pvc tanks and pvc pipes, ignition wiring sets, semi- precious stones, veterinary medicines, hair braids, coal, textiles ( towels and t- shirts) and automobile batteries. These goods were destined mainly for South Africa, Zimbabwe, Austria, Germany, and Namibia.