The Fairgrounds Holdings this year is expected to introduce a Small Business Forum (SBF) targeting young entrepreneurs and out of school youth during the upcoming annual Botswana Consumer Fair in Gaborone.
In an interview with Sunday Standard, Fairgrounds Holdings Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Michael Montshiwa said that the forum is aimed at availing information regarding opportunities and funding of small businesses where young people would receive basic business skills from representatives of some of the participating organizations such as CEDA and LEA.
Montshiwa further highlighted that the Botswana Consumer Fair still remains the biggest event in the country bringing together consumers and manufacturers in direct contact to exchange business ideas.
He added that as organizers they are committed to ensuring the event continues to grow with new additions introduced yearly to enhance value and excitement.
He stated that the introduction of the small business forum targeting the youth this year is aimed at helping the youth of our country to become sound future entrepreneurs.
“We embarked on refurbishment of the pavilion restaurant, pavilion hall, pavilion terrace, pavilion bar as well as the private boardroom in August 2011, which was completed in April this year. The Pavilion facilities are now open with the new restaurant seating 90 inside and 120 on the terrace,” said Montshiwa.
Highlighting other developments, he said the restaurant serves breakfast on request, lunch and dinner buffet as well as a la’carte menu in the evening with an addition of a brand new ‘Wok Action’ station for a variety of stir fries.
According to Montshiwa, the consumer fair is aimed at bringing into direct contact consumers and manufacturers as well as creating an interactive forum for both local and foreign entrepreneurs, to share business ideas whilst enhancing competitiveness. He added that the fair also continues to promote SMME’s by creating a platform for them to market their goods or find new markets.
“We are continuing to receive many enquiries from neighbouring countries and are optimistic to have more than 10 this year, which will include South Africa, Japan, Nigeria, Ghana, Swaziland, and Lesotho,” he said.
Fairgrounds Holdings CEO outlined that for consumers, it provides a one stop shopping experience, and an opportunity to acquire information from the many service providers during the show. He added that for the business community it is a platform to explore and discover latest product innovations, trends and explore new markets as well as networking opportunities
The CEO was optimistic that attendance will improve tremendously this year as they believe the public still views the event as an important platform for shopping, discovering and exploring new business ideas.
“For our target, for exhibitors, all sectors of the economy, including government departments, parastatals as the fair assists them to disseminate information on their mandates. This year we have partnered with RB2 as an official broadcaster but adverts will be running in all other media, including print, radio stations and BTV,” said Montshiwa.