* Country constitutes less than 0.2 percent of Africa’s population
As a developing country, Botswana falls within the unfortunate category of sub-Saharan countries facing enormous challenges of industrialisation, job creation, economic diversification, skills gaps, narrow export commodities and low export capacities.
And this is despite the country being classified as an Upper-Middle Income Economy. President Dr. Mokgweetsi Masissi told the ongoing 15th US-Africa Business Summit in Gaborone that Botswana constitutes less than 0.2 percent of Africa’s population, and contributes about one percent of Africa’s GDP.
He said as the world’s largest producer of gem diamonds by value, it is imperative that the country develops value chains for raw materials to allow for greater value addition, spur innovation and growth, adapt to climate change, build sustainability, deepen economic diversification, and create opportunities for exploitation of global supply chains.
Against this backdrop Masisi said his government has ushered in the Reset Agenda, whose key priorities include the need to harness new and evolving technologies brought about by the Fourth Industrial Revolution, and accelerated application of the digital technology in service delivery leading to economic growth.
"To create an inclusive economy, we need more private sector involvement to drive value chain development in major industries ranging from mining, tourism, agriculture, and education."
He highlighted the importance of the CCA in helping companies identify new business opportunities, forge partnerships, make strategic decisions and stay current on policy developments.
"I am informed that 20 percent of CCA’s membership is headquartered in Africa. It is my earnest hope that through this regular Summit, we will be both challenged and encouraged to grow this percentage to 50 percent in the next decade."
It is the President’s utmost wish and desire that the US-Africa Business Summit will come up with resolutions that will lead to a deepening of US-Africa trade relations. Among attendees are; US and African private sector executives, international investors, senior government officials and multilateral stakeholders.
Furthermore, that throughout the Summit, the CCA will ensure and enable attendees to connect with government and private sector decision-makers over the course of four days from Tuesday July 11 to Friday July 14, and to deliver key insights that the participants need to move their respective organisations forward.
The Summit will also present participants a chance to learn about and receive updates on available financing from the US government, institutional investors, US and African banks, and many more.
And this is despite the country being classified as an Upper-Middle Income Economy. President Dr. Mokgweetsi Masissi told the ongoing 15th US-Africa Business Summit in Gaborone that Botswana constitutes less than 0.2 percent of Africa’s population, and contributes about one percent of Africa’s GDP.
He said as the world’s largest producer of gem diamonds by value, it is imperative that the country develops value chains for raw materials to allow for greater value addition, spur innovation and growth, adapt to climate change, build sustainability, deepen economic diversification, and create opportunities for exploitation of global supply chains.
Against this backdrop Masisi said his government has ushered in the Reset Agenda, whose key priorities include the need to harness new and evolving technologies brought about by the Fourth Industrial Revolution, and accelerated application of the digital technology in service delivery leading to economic growth.
"To create an inclusive economy, we need more private sector involvement to drive value chain development in major industries ranging from mining, tourism, agriculture, and education."
He highlighted the importance of the CCA in helping companies identify new business opportunities, forge partnerships, make strategic decisions and stay current on policy developments.
"I am informed that 20 percent of CCA’s membership is headquartered in Africa. It is my earnest hope that through this regular Summit, we will be both challenged and encouraged to grow this percentage to 50 percent in the next decade."
It is the President’s utmost wish and desire that the US-Africa Business Summit will come up with resolutions that will lead to a deepening of US-Africa trade relations. Among attendees are; US and African private sector executives, international investors, senior government officials and multilateral stakeholders.
Furthermore, that throughout the Summit, the CCA will ensure and enable attendees to connect with government and private sector decision-makers over the course of four days from Tuesday July 11 to Friday July 14, and to deliver key insights that the participants need to move their respective organisations forward.
The Summit will also present participants a chance to learn about and receive updates on available financing from the US government, institutional investors, US and African banks, and many more.
