Presentation by Business Botswana CEO: Maria Machailo-Ellis

Transcription

1 Presentation by Business Botswana CEO: Maria Machailo-Ellis Technological Demand in the Business Support Programme in Botswana 17 September 2015, The Czech Republic, Prague, Brno

2 Botswana at a glance Population 2 Million Borders S.A, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Zambia Land km² GDP (4% 2017) USD 14.8 Billion (2014) GDP per Capita USD (2014M) Inflation 4% Interest Rates 8.5% Prime

3 Life in Botswana Political system: Multiparty democracy Business language: English Economy: upper middle income More than 10 (private) international schools six universities and a variety of colleges 5 private hospitals Adult literacy rate: 85% People: Warm and friendly Crime: Low UNESCO World heritage site: Okavango Delta

4 BOTSWANA S UNIQUE SELLING POINTS 3rd most profitable country globally & 1st in Sub Saharan Africa (Baseline Profitability Index 2015) Highest Gross Fixed Capital Formation Ration in SADC Highest investment grade sovereign credit rating in Africa long term A- & short term A-2 Within Close Proximity of Fast-growing Markets At the Heart of the SADC Consumer Market Competitive Corporate Tax Rates, Incentives 3rd Best Governed Country in Africa 2014

5 General Investment Opportunities Financial & Business Services Mineral Beneficiation Applied ICT Agriculture Tourism Health Water Technology Energy Transport & Logistics Education

6 TECHNOLOGY REQUIREMETS Water Technology (currently the biggest challenge for the country is supply of potable WATER) Energy (Renewable Energy and Clean Coal Energy) Water Infrastructure Agriculture (Horticulture & Beef Industries) ICT Health Services

7 APPLIED ICT An innovation hub (BIH) is busy attracting foreign ICT developers in the country. The Government is moving into a paperless platform through e-gov. For example the tax authority (BURS) is developing a platform for electronic submission of tax returns and payment. This will create demand for ICT software and hardware. The government is also in the process of converting manual permits to online applications. Creating again demand for ICT software and hardware. Commercial banks and other financial services companies are also converting their services from paper to electronic

8 BUSINESS BOTSWANA Started in 1971 as Botswana Employers Federation (BEF) And registered under the trade unions and employers act no 23 of Changed to Botswana Confederation of Commerce Industry and Manpower (BOCCIM) to embrace Chamber Activities due to changes in the Business environment. 1990s Established the High Level Consultative Council (HLCC) - A business forum to engage government on issues that affects the ease of doing business in Botswana. (state president, ministries and top policy making officials.

9 Who do we Represent Independent advocacy body representing businesses across all sectors of the economy members in our data base. Funded by membership subscriptions and other income generations activities

10 Transformation to APEX Body Implementation of the Private Sector Development Program (PSDP) PSDP: Joint initiative of EU and Botswana Government with a budget 2.3m Euros implemented by CDE BUSINESS BOTSWANA APEX BODY BOCCIM become an APEX Body AND Changed its name to Business Botswana (BB) in July BB is benchmarking & partnering with European chambers of commerce with the objective to acquire new skills Chambers of Commerce Sector Associations Employer Organization Business Councils Drive the Private sector as the key driver to the growth of Botswana s economy. The APEX Body Model 10

11 CURRENT STRUCTURE AGM Structure of BB BB COUNCIL CEO Francistown Regional Office (Staff 3x) HEAD OFFICE GABORONE ( Staff 15x) Business Councils : 15x

12 Members by Size 17% 4% 79% Small (1-25) Medium (26-100) Large (101+ Employees)

13 OUR No. 1 Job : POLICY ADVOCACY Lobby government for a conducive business climate. BB s priority therefore is to ensure that procedures and regulations for starting and operating a business in Botswana compare favourably with the best in the region and internationally.

14 Major Reforms Achieved BB has contributed to a good business environment by lobbying for reforms in : Tax Recruitment of foreign talent ( PBS) Trade licencing Foreign exchange controls Privatisation

15 CONCLUSION The business environment in Botswana is good, stable and preditctable. We continue to engage government on behalf of investors to make sure that they have a peace of mind while we do busness in Botswana

16 THE END - PRESENTED BY - Ms. Maria Machailo-Ellis, BUSINESS BOTSWANA CEO