Procure locally produced goods-Butale

Assistant minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Biggie Butale, has appealed to consumers and government ministries to procure goods and services locally as this will enhance local companies’ sustainability and job creation.

Officially opening the Manufacturing and Distribution Exhibition (MADE) 2017, held in Gaborone last week, Butale said the economy can only grow if local companies are supported.

“I would like to take this opportunity to appeal to government ministries, departments, agencies and the private sector to live and apply the Economic Diversification Drive (EDD), through procurement of products and services made in Botswana,” he said.

In 2010, the government came up with the EDD policy whose objectives were among others, to support local companies and reduce the import bill as well as diversifying the economy from mining to other sectors of the economy.

Butale said the desired economic growth of the country can be realised more through the procurement of local goods and services. He however advised the manufacturing businesses to ensure that their products are of the desired quality. Minister Butale said production of quality goods and services will put them at par with products and services of other countries.

The three day business event attracted local manufacturers, distributors, suppliers and industry affiliates across the world. Butale expressed gratitude to the organisers of the Manufacturing and Distribution exhibition which he said is crucial for the promotion of Botswana made products.He said the event increases credibility of Botswana manufacturers, helps to find new markets or broaden their market base, establish business to business ties. He said the business platform also offered companies with opportunities to sign lucrative procurement, distribution and supplies deals with both government and the private sector.

Butale said being one of the leading sectors of the economic diversification drive, the manufacturing industry facilitates the development of many allied industries and easily adapts to new economic conditions, increased competition, strengthening of environmental requirements and consumers’ ever growing demands.

He concluded that his ministry will continue to lead the economic diversification drive programme whose aim is to support local manufacturing sectors to create employment and eradicate poverty.