LETLHOGILE MPUANG
The Botswana Investment and Trade Centre (BITC) will this year host the 13th installment of its premier business to business (B2B) multi -sectoral expo known as the Global Expo Botswana (GEB) from 30th October – 2nd November 2018 in Gaborone.
The expo, which has over the years gained significant international recognition, will be held under the theme “SEIZING OPPORTUNITIES THROUGH NETWORKING WITH GLOBAL BUSINESS LEADERS ”. The expo enjoys an increase in exhibitors and visitors annually, and on average attracts between 2000 and 5000 visitors annually. The Global Expo gives a platform to individuals and businesses to network with the ultimate outcome being to increase exports, and diversify the economy through partnerships and joint business amalgamations.
BITC Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Keletsositse Olebile said this year’s theme emphasized the true purpose of the Expo which includes, “advocating for globalization through interactions with multiple businesses as well as broadening horizons by breaking trade barriers. This is achieved through the vast mix of companies in different sectors from various countries all aimed at doing business on this common ground. This year’s theme positions Botswana to drive its National Brand globally and also reverberates with its mandate, which is export promotion and diversification,” explained Olebile.
He added that over 16 countries from as Europe, Middles East and Africa will take part in the 13th Global Expo, which reflects the success of event since its inception in 2006.
“This year’s expo boasts attendance from 16 countries from as far as Cyprus, UAE, China, India, Sweden, Germany, South Africa Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Swaziland, Namibia, Lesotho, and many more, which makes this year’s expo electrifying. GEB has had an exponential growth since its inception in 2006, and will continue to add value to increase its already noticeable impact.
This year GEB introduces a new initiative called The Investment Battlefield, which gives companies an opportunity to pitch their business ideas, in order to secure investment finance from a panel of venture capitalists or angel investors. The Investment Battlefield Platform seeks to encourage the growth of emerging start-ups and selected small businesses by providing them an opportunity to be funded. Alongside this activity, they also have their business to business matchmaking platform which allows for one-on-one meetings between Exhibitors and Visitors, in order to avail an opportunity to discuss business prospects,” ended the BITC CEO.
The main speakers at this year’s expo will include Daniele Schill (Professor of Economics at the University of Messina, Italy, Department of Economics and a scholar of the Gulf economies), who will talk on on how Botswana can successfully diversify her economy from dependence on a single-resource and further give a critical look at how the United Arab Emirates (UAE) succeed with similar challenges.
Raj Wanniappa (Founder of Future Horizons Technology) is expected to discuss what Botswana needs to do in order to catch up with the 4th Industrial Revolution and transform into a world class economic state using modern technology and the World Wide Web (WWW).
Nthabeleng Likitso (Chairperson & Entrepreneur; Young Women in Business Network)will discuss Pan African Growth Trajectory Opportunities.
This year’s Global Expo will be officially opened by Vice President Slumber Tsogwane and India’s Vice President Venkaiah Naidu on the morning of Tuesday 31st October 2019 at Boipuso Hall at the Fairgrounds in Gaborone. Immediately after the official opening ceremony, the two Vice Presidents will embark on a tour of the GEB 2018 exhibition stalls. Thereafter, the 2017 Botswana Investment & Trade Conference will commence.