Entrepreneurs urged to eye Mauritius
Botswana’s business community has been implored to identify and explore areas of potential collaboration and deepen networks with Mauritius.
Speaking at the Mauritius- African Trade and Investment Forum, President of the Organization of African and Pacific States ( OACPS), Mmantlha Sankoloba said deepening of bilateral trade between the two countries has potential to trigger growth of business operations.
“As a big proponent of value- chain contribution, it would be lovely to see some of our manufacturers importing input material from
Mauritius and maybe someday see some of our local product within shelf spaces of Mauritian stores,” said Sankoloba at the forum held under the banner: ‘ Strengthening the Regional Value Chains.’
Through the Mauritius Trade and Business Forum and the Economic Development Board, over 20 entrepreneurs from Mauritius attended the event to build partnerships with Botswana entrepreneurs. Sankoloba who is also Chief Executive Officer of Botswana Exporters and Manufacturers Association ( BEMA) highlighted that the OACPS Business Forum exists to ensure public and private sector dialogues or synergies, as respective member states continually transition towards becoming developed economies. For the local economy, the high pitched dialogue is on diversifying the economy from being dominated by the minerals sector, Sankoloba is optimistic that both public and private sector are proactively participating on the discourse. “There are efforts made by government and private sector to shift the narrative, there are ongoing efforts whose intent is to diversify the economy and explore other avenues such as manufacturing, agriculture among others,” said Sankoloba. She also highlighted that universities are key stakeholders in the dialogues, as they serve a critical role in producing industry ready graduates. “Therefore close- knit relation between industry and academia will ensure relevance of academic curriculum, reducing the cost burden of businesses having to re- train graduates again.”
The Government has already indicated that its diversification drive is centred on five priority areas, which include digitisation, focusing on taking advantage of the technologies offered by the fourth industrial revolution to unlock and enable high productivity and value chain development to unlock opportunities for new, high- growth companies in the private sector, focusing on minerals, tourism, agriculture, and education, among others. Meanwhile, the Minister of Trade and Industry, Mmusi Kgafela applauded OACPS for the forum, anticipated to consolidate and increase market share in South- eastern Africa, developing new business opportunities and establishing contact with new buyers. “It would be critical to see new partnerships forged,” said Kgafela.