BOTSWANA the country of diamonds spreads a lucrative red carpet for Indian entrepreneurs. ‘SEMINAR ON ECONOMY AND BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES IN BOTSWANA’ organized by the Federation of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FTAPCCI) at their Hyderabad office, on 25th January 18, highlighted the wonderful business prospects that exist in this African country.
Approximately 30,000 Indians settled since generations, in Botswana, emphasizes the friendly ecosystem prevailing. Opportunities are abundant and this is the right time to step-in, to gain rich dividends. The seminar had good participation from industrial experts hailing from wide sectors.
Botswana was introduced to the participants by H. E. Ms. Lesego Ethel Motsumi, High Commissioner, Republic of Botswana. She spoke about the various resources in the country and the innumerous opportunities while welcoming the entrepreneurs. However, the most important point to be noted was about the corruption free atmosphere prevalent in the country and the equanimity of law across all sections of the society.
Later Ms. Gemma Mbegabolawe, Executive Director – Botswana Investment and Trade Centre (BITC), India Office, gave a detailed presentation about the various sectors that need active participation from Indian expertise. She spoke about the mutual friendly employee-employer rules which suggests occurrence of strike was an unknown format in Botswana.
She ascertained that BITC would hand hold the enterprise forever. The only issue that needs to be taken care by the entrepreneur is to make a perfect project report to convince the BITC and then the rest is a gateway to success. Concisely BITC is a one-stop shop providing value added services to investors.
The prospective issues for Botswana adventurers are No hidden charges, No Foreign exchange control, No minimum limits for investment, duty free import of machinery into the country, 5-10 years of tax holiday and almost 200% tax rebate for training.
Botswana is looking for trade and investments from India in key sectors like Diamond, Agriculture, Education, Leather, Energy, Financial and Business Services, Health, Mining, Information and Communications Technology (ICT), Manufacturing and Tourism. The country has abundance natural resources like diamond, Coal and soda ash.
Way2World wishes all aspiring Indian entrepreneurs a grand success in all their ventures in Botswana.
With inputs from internet – Rajkishan