The 2022 Botswana Consumer Fair is helping to grow the country’s private sector and creates a unique opportunity for businesses.

This is according to Business Botswana President, Gobusamang Keebine, who was speaking at the official opening of the fair.

This year’s edition of the fair comes in the wake of the pandemic, with ongoing lockdowns and restrictions battering the business community, leading to low productivity and numerous closures.

“I’m proud of the development of local enterprises because it’s vital for the growth of the private sector and businesses. This comes at a time in which we are rebuilding the economy and fighting inflation therefore the return of the fair is quite welcome because it will contribute immensely towards the growth of Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs),” he said.

“The economy is focused on diversification in order to reduce dependency on mineral exports that’s why it is important for us to aid SMEs and business from the informal sector such that they do play a role in the economy,” Keebine went on to say.

The head of Business Botswana said his organisation is mentoring up to 100 businesses, with the objective being to feature up to 3,000 virtual stores from SMEs and informal sector businesses in a bid to boost employment in the country.

This year’s Botswana Consumer Fair had 558 stalls with 265 exhibitors from a total of 28 different sectors of the economy. The event has also attracted attention across the globe, with representation from Japan, India, Kenya, Eswatini and South Africa among the businesses taking part in the exhibition.