Botswana needed a total of P33 million to participate in Expo 20 Dubai
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) government went all out by not only courting but equally sponsoring countries to exhibit their prized commodities in order to ensure maximum participation especially of African countries during the Expo 2020 Dubai.
The Expo 2020 Dubai which lasted for six months was the first of its kind to take place in the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia region and brought handsome results for Botswana.
UAE invited Botswana to participate in 2016. The UAE government offered a sponsorship package for Botswana’s participation as well as appointed BITC Chief Executive Keletsositse Olebile as Commissioner General for Botswana and BITC as Facilitator for Botswana’s participation.
Officials of the Ministry of Trade visited Dubai on November 2019 to appreciate the magnitude of the Expo and the expectations on Botswana’s commitment. This week Minister of Trade, Mmusi Kgafela confirmed to Parliament that Botswana’s participation at the Expo 2020 Dubai was primarily supported by the governments of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and that of Botswana.
“My Ministry was responsible for the overall coordination which we did through the Botswana Investment and Trade Centre. BITC was supported by key stakeholders from the government and the private sector.
“Botswana was fortunate to receive sponsorship from UAE Government to the tune of USD 1.5 million (approximately P19 million) through the construction and branding of the 206square metres Botswana Pavilion, a 40-foot shipment container to transport Botswana exhibition items to Dubai and back and free accommodation comprising two apartments with a total of four rooms for use by the Botswana team”.
Kgafela was answering a question from Member of Parliament for Nata- Gweta Poulson Majaga who asked the Minister to elaborate about the Dubai Expo 2020 initiative which was attended by President Dr. Mokgweetsi Masisi and further state, how much money was accumulated, when investors can be expected to set up industries in Botswana, and whether the investors will be going into joint ventures with Batswana.
He said the total budget requirement for participating at the six months Expo was estimated at P33 million inclusive of the P19 million pledged by the UAE government. Botswana set aside a budget of P10.1 million while the rest of the budget requirement came from BITC and private sponsors.
The latter included Okavango Diamond Company, DeBeers; Lucara, Diamond Trading Company Botswana (DTCB); Letshego; Debswana; First National Bank, MorupulCoal Mine, Khoemecau; SEEDCO, Botswana Stock Exchange, Citizen Entrepreneurial Development Agency (CEDA) Botswana Development Corporation (BDC) and the National Development Bank (NDB).
Kgafela said Botswana’s participation at the Expo generated a lot of investment opportunities for economic cooperation and enhanced knowledge about Botswana as a brand.
Since the Expo, BITC facilitated the setting up of eight (8) companies in the diamond cutting and polishing industry and to date the realised investments from these companies stand at BWP182, 950, 000.00 with 368 jobs created.
The companies involved are Sheetal Group with 68 jobs Diarough Diamonds (45) Parishi Diamonds (24 jobs), Dianco Botswana (23), Genesis HB Botswana with (30 jobs, Source Cutting Works with 70 jobs, Rosy Blue Facets (65 jobs) and SRK Exports with 43 jobs.
Kgafela said additional Investments expected from Botswana’s participation at the Expo 2020 Dubai are in the dairy sector, smart logistics solutions and airline operations.
Further, a diamond auction sale by the Okavango Diamond Company (ODC) in partnership with the Dubai Multi Commodity Centre (DMCC) generated P 1.4 billion, which was confirmed as rare to reach in a one-day diamond auction sale.
Kgafela said his ministry through BITC has always encouraged Batswana to go into joint ventures/partnership with foreign investors.
“For instance, a dairy investor attracted from Dubai is currently in talks with the Botswana Development Corporation (BDC) to possibly partner in the Milk Afrik Project as well as implement an out-grower model that will empower Batswana in dairy farming,” he said.