Media Meets Department of Trade & EU for Briefing on EU-SADC EPA Implementation Support Programme in Botswana

EU-SADC Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) Implementation Support Programme in Botswana Boosting Botswana’s Trade Capacity

On Tuesday 25th October 2022, representatives of various media houses in Botswana met at Phakalane Golf Estates Hotel & Convention Centre with Trade Officials from the government and representatives of the European Union, for a Media Briefing on the EU-SADC Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) Implementation Support Programme. he

ufacturers and entrepreneurs aswell as the Foot & Mouth Disease control 01. Mr Gideon Mmolawa, Deputy Permanent

Media Briefing was hosted by The Ministry of Trade & In

review and strategy with the Ministry of Agriculture. dustry through the Department of International Trade in partSecretary, Trade at Ministry of Trade & Industry

These are significant milestones aimed at amplifying Botswana’s readinership with the European Union Delegation to Botswana and 02. Clément Boutillier, EUD Head of Cooperation

ness for trade with the EU market,” remarked Deputy PS Mmolawa.

SADC. 03. Johana Segotlong, Director, International Trade

EUD’s head of Cooperation; Clément Boutillier, thanked the media for

The objective of this gathering was to introduce media stakeholders at Ministry of Trade & Industry

making time to come and learn about the programme. to the EU-SADC EPA Implementation Support Programme which was 04. Mr Leatile Mmutle, Duma FM Head of News

“The media is a key stakeholder in ensuring that all sectors at all levels launched in February 2021 in Botswana. & On Air Presenter for Real Time with Leatile

understand the EPA, its national implementation support programme, the

The Support Programme is designed to roll out capacity-building and Mmutle

benefits to SMMEs and to the country’s foreign direct investment opportechnical support which is ongoing for the Ministry of Trade & Industry,

tunities in export-led economic growth sectors. 05. Keletso Mokolwane, On Air Presenter of Radio

Ministry of Agriculture, The Department of Plant Protection (DPP), Nation

The first half of implementation has been complicated and the results Botswana’s Around The World Today

al Plant Protection Organisation (NPPO), BNVL, BITC, BURS, BOBS and LEA.

today are the combination of many energies and excellent work and dedi06. Delphine Aupicon, EUD Cooperation Officer,

The programme’s core goal is to strengthen Botswana’s export readiness

cation from all stakeholders. Macro-Economics, Public Finance Management

for the EU market with particular attention to specific value chains includ

I would like to highlight that the objectives of the programme are fuling Beef & Leather. & Trade

ly relevant with the transformation agenda of the country as well as the

The morning included presentations by the Deputy Permanent Secre07. Thuso Palai, Director of Brand Management at

Economic diversification drive strategy, which is currently being revised. tary for Trade in the Ministry of Trade & Industry; Mr Gideon Mmolawa BITC

The core objective of the media briefing was to share important inforand the EU Head of Cooperation; Mr Clément Boutillier. 08. Colm Halloran, Team Leader for the EU-SADC

mation with you and your valued readers, listeners and audience. Botswa

A robust Q&A Session was conducted and some of the high-level repEPA Implementation Support Programme’s

na is gifted with manufacturers of an impressive assortment of natural resentatives of the Ministry and EUD availed themselves for, one-on-one Technical Assistance Team in Botswana

products, unique indigenous foods and facilities for the processing of aniinterviews with the Media. Deputy Permanent Secretary, Trade at the 09. EUD’s Clément Boutillier with Martin

mal by-products that the EU Market is ready to engage with.

Ministry of Trade & Industry, Mr Gideon Mmolawa informed attendants

We at the EUD are proud to be in partnership with the government of Ntongana, Chief Trade Officer at Ministry of

that the EU-SADC EPA Implementation Support Programme was launched

this country as we work together to strengthen business associations as Trade & Industry

in 2021 in Botswana with the objectives of supporting the Ministry of

well as the SMME sector’s product development and capacity, all as key 10. Oratile Jazzelle Kebakile, Communications

Trade & Industry (MTI) to implement the EPA and promote the growth of

economic diversification vehicles and solutions to job creation challenges, & Visibility Specialist for the EU-SADC EPA

export-led economic diversification.

particularly after covid-19 impact.” said Mr Boutillier.

“There are specific value chains in focus under the Economic PartnerImplementation Support Programme’s

The EU-SADC Economic Partnership Agreement was signed in 2016, ship Agreement, with a team of international experts currently working Technical Assistance Team in Botswana

with 6 SADC signatories and a seventh one in 2020. Countries represented closely with various organs of government to facilitate capacity-building in 11. Tebogo Matlhare, EUD Programme Officer

under the EPA include Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, South support of these value chains. 12. Keatlaretse Dintle, Chief Trade Officer at

Africa, Kingdom of Eswatini and Angola.

The Technical Assistance Team for this programme has already startMinistry of Trade & Industry

When fully implemented, the EPA will facilitate the strengthening of ed rolling out activities, such as the nation-wide Rules of Origins Work13. EUD’s Clément Boutillier & MTI’s Gideon

regional supply chains and the creation of a sustainable, competitive, exshop series for BURS customs officials, the ongoing review of the National Mmolawa presided over the Media Briefing

port-oriented economy in Botswana.

Branding strategy, a trade mission to Germany with natural products man- Breakfast together

T