Africa-Press – Botswana. President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi has informed the Nigerian business community that endless opportunities existed in Botswana for all types of business.
“We are looking for partners like you, each and every one of you. We have opportunities in sectors among others, agriculture, mineral beneficiation, tourism, finance and health care,” he said Tuesday during a Corporate Council on Africa breakfast meeting in Abuja.
Dr Masisi revealed that his administration’s top priority was to develop the health care sector to ensure that Botswana became the number one health hub in Africa.
The President said the stability Botswana offered was unmatched.
Dr Masisi however, said those interested in doing business in Botswana should be cognisant of the processes and procedures that he said were more of enablers as opposed to bottlenecks.
Assistant Minister of Trade and Industry, Ms Beauty Manake said her ministry as well as Botswana Investment Trade Centre (BITC) offered a one-stop centre aimed at facilitating investors within the shortest possible time.
Botswana, she said, was culitivating the ease of doing business environment with the intention of removing all barriers.
Echoing Dr Masisi’s words, Ms Manake said Botswana had abundant investment opportunities in almost all sectors which Nigerian business people needed to grab.
The first step would be to attend the July 11-14 US/Africa business summit in Gaborone, she said, explaining that it offered the business community an opportunity to establish networks and appreciate available ecosystems that Botswana had to offer.
BITC chief executive officer, Mr Keletsositse Olebile said despite its population size of over 2.3 million, Botswana had crafted all its policies and frameworks to enable investors to thrive beyond its shores.
“When you look at us don’t only look at the 2.3 million people. We have much more to offer,” he said.
In their comments, some multinationals that included Dangote Group wanted to know more about efforts made to reduce red tape that often impeded business growth.
They also wanted government to make it easier to obtain a Botswana VISA.
Responding, President Masisi reassured them that the ease of doing business was mainstreamed into government operations.
Regarding the issue of red tape, he said, it was non-existent save for pertinent processes meant to facilitate investors.
Besides attending the inauguration and engaging with the business community, Dr Masisi met with Batswana residing in Nigeria with whom he had a luncheon.
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