Through the Business to Business Meeting, the Engineering Export Promotion Council of India (EEPC) last week Friday had a chance to introduce its companies to the Botswana business community.
The meeting that took place at The Exec Closet Hotel in Gaborone had a delegation of 19 members of engineering exporters from EEPC.
The High Commissioner of India and special representative of Southern African Development Community (SADC) Dr Ketan Shukla said this was the first time the EEPC delegation came to Botswana to have an event of such magnitude.
Last a 10-member delegation of electronics and computer software exporters visited.
Shukla said the delegation that was present in the seminar manufactured products such as machine tools and accessories, pumps, hospital furniture and equipment, tractors and spare parts to mention a few.
The manufacturing sector is said to contribute 25-30 percent India’s Gross Domestic Product. (GDP) Shukla said India was expected to become the fifth largest manufacturing country in 2020.
“Make in India” a programme that was launched by the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is expected to help the manufacturing sector by placing India in the world map as a manufacturing hub and giving India global recognition.
“This will make India become the hub for hi-tech manufacturing as global giants such as GE, Siemens, Htc, Toshiba have either set up or are in process of setting up manufacturing plants in India” said Shukla.
Some major investors in India include Apple, Coca-Cola, Panasonic and Lenovo.
Shukla urged the Botswana businessmen to maximise the opportunity for making great business relations with the EEPC delegation as their goal of vibrant micro and small enterprises sector contribute significantly to the economy.
Junior Minister at Trade and Investment Biggie Butale said that Botswana was delighted that EEPC had chosen the best destination as Botswana and India have a several agreements in different sectors such as education, agriculture and defence.
Butale went on to say the relation between Botswana and India have become beneficial to the country as evidenced by the recruitment of personnel in different fields such as health care mathematics, art and design.
He also urged the Botswana companies to take advantage of such platforms as the EEPC is presenting a rare opportunity to make business and to learn from the best.
“The government of Botswana is working on diversifying the economy, eradicating poverty and fighting unemployment. The success of the business to business interaction will therefore go a long way in assisting our country to achieve these goals,” said Butale.
