As CEO of BEDIA I am determined to meaningfully contribute to the economic diversification of Batswana and thereby fulfill BEDIA’s mandate of attracting Foreign Direct Investment and creating job opportunities for Batswana. I see this as very possible to achieve because I am fortunate to have a team that is disciplined and very committed.

During 2008/09 financial year, BEDIA set targets in line with the then global economic outlook and the various trends on investment. BEDIA also faced challenges due to the economic meltdown that particularly affected the western countries and made it difficult to attract investors into the country. Foreign investors therefore became cautious and developed measures to reduce their exposure and decided to either invest in their own countries or other developed countries.

the beginning of the end of the recession and BEDIA will continue to encourage, promote and facilitate the establishment of export-oriented enterprises and selected services. We will come out of the impact of the global recession with plans that will enable us to achieve rapid economic growth, economic diversification as well as creating sustainable employment opportunities. BEDIA has therefore devised strategies that will see Botswana attracting investors and branding the country on a global scale. Our biggest initiative this year includes the “Invest in Botswana” and focus on Domestic Investment.

Our country has a lot to offer and it is important for us to ensure that the rest of the world is informed and that investors know that they are welcome to come and explore the opportunities our country has to offer. In turn, it is also important for us to inform and educate our local business community on the investment opportunities available for them to take advantage of.

Our local business community is given the opportunity to benchmark, engage and partner with foreign businesses through organised seminars and investment promotion missions (inward and outward). In addition to that, our local business community is educated on various business opportunities during Botswana’s only business to business exhibition, Global Expo.

Invest in Botswana will highlight to potential investors the opportunities that make Botswana an ideal investment destination. These include, amongst others, our stable economy, democratic government, low corruption, educated workforce and our quality of life.

The annual Global Expo is always a highlight for the year. This year Global Expo will be hosted under the theme “Building Strategic Partnerships beyond the Economic Crisis”. The theme encourages all businesses to participate at the Global Expo, and rise above the recent harsh economic environment by getting together and forming strategic alliances to regain, and even advance, their foothold in their respective markets. Extended focus will be towards overcoming the challenges that seem to face us.

Botswana is in competition with other economies in the region for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). We therefore hope to lure potential investors into Botswana through tax incentives as we have the lowest personal tax in the region and other investment incentives.

Through sound partnerships and support by Batswana, our stakeholders and the international business community, BEDIA will certainly work hard to bear fruits that are most necessary for the development of our country.

BEDIA was formed in 1998 as a parastatal reporting to the Ministry of Trade & Industry (MTI) and is the lead Investment Promotion Agency in Botswana. Among other things, BEDIA is charged with promoting Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into Botswana, promoting locally manufactured goods to regional and international markets, improving investment climate through policy advocacy, increasing citizen participation in the economy and creating sustainable job opportunities for Batswana. Over the years, BEDIA has played a critical role in marketing Botswana, selling investment opportunities in the country and assisting local entrepreneurs in identifying market outlets outside Botswana.

Our Vision

We will be globally recognised as a leading trade and investment agency in Southern Africa.

Our Mission

To promote investment in export orientated activities which will result in economic diversification, rapid economic growth and sustained employment opportunities in accordance with Botswana’s social and economic policies and objectives.

Our Values

Accountability

We work to clear purposes and defined outcomes with identified parameters using transparent, quality and consistent processes and reporting as necessary stakeholders.

Ethical Behaviour

We are open, honest and consistent in all business dealings. We conduct business in a professional and ethical way.

Responsiveness

We work with stakeholders in a way that is consultative, timely and innovative to best meet their changing needs.

Information Communications Technology (ICT)

Since its aggressive embarkation on ICT development, Botswana has since rapidly progressed, developing world leaders in the application of ICT who ranked third in Africa, in the Global Information Technology Report 2008-09.

Manufacturing

This sector has the most growth potential due to Botswana’s access to larger markets through regional integration and international trade agreements. Over the years major manufacturing exports included textiles and polishing of diamonds and semi precious stones. Now there is a wide range of goods the country manufactures for both the domestic and export markets.

Tourism

Travel and tourism have a strong future potential and are regarded as an engine for economic growth. Diversification into ecotourism is the tool that has been identified as a key contributor to a rapid growth niche in the travel industry.

Education

Botswana has invested a lot of effort and resources in the development and growth of the education system. The result; a literacy rate of over 80% - which is more than most SADC countries. The system is constantly improved and developed through a number of education initiatives.

Mining

Mining accounts for a large portion of Botswana’s national foreign exchange earnings and the largest single source of GDP propelling the high economic growth. Botswana was ranked 18th in the world at the 2009 Fraser Institute Survey of Mining Companies and foremost preferred destination for mining and mineral investment in Africa

The Cargo and Logistics Sector

Cargo and logistics comprises three main areas, namely the Air Cargo Hub, Gabcon Freight Village and the Mining Supplies and Logistics Hub. As a whole, the sector is responsible for exporting perishables, the import and export of pharmaceuticals and vaccines (Air Cargo Hub); local and regional consolidation and movement of general cargo (Gabcon Freight Village); as well as providing warehouses for rent, the consolidation and distribution of consumables, capital equipment and spares (Mining Supplies and Logistics Hub). The sector is expected to create up to 237 jobs by the year 2022.

BEDIA One Stop Service

BEDIA promotes a customercentric approach in dealing with investors. Through its One Stop Shop, all investors are assisted in securing necessary permits and approvals including land and property. The process of acquiring work and residence permits, visas, licences and other approvals is fast tracked through this system.

Our Objectives

The main objectives of BEDIA are:

• To promote inward investment into the country by encouraging;
• The establishment of manufacturing enterprises with special emphasis on export orientated manufacture and in the import replacement sector;
• Investment in selected services, for example information technology,
• To organise and participate in trade exhibitions and contact promotion missions to other countries, in order to expose manufacturers to the international market and identify market outlets for goods manufactured in Botswana.
• To promote the establishment of joint ventures between local citizens and foreign investors.
• To encourage the transfer of technology and the building up of skills of citizens working in the manufacturing sector.
• To construct factory buildings and deal with the property market for investors to utilise.
• To provide a one-stop service facility to ensure that all clearances, residence permits, work permits, factory space, land, etc, are obtained with minimal delays by existing and new enterprises.

Some of the priority sectors that BEDIA is actively selling are; glass manufacturing; beef and beef byproducts, leather manufacturing and Information Communication Technology. Through the research analysis, investment opportunities are profiled and packaged in a qualitative and quantitative manner to assist investors in making sound investment decisions.

Beef Botswana is the exporter of lean quality beef which features prominently in markets throughout the world particularly the European Union.   Health The health sector remains a prime area for investment as the country is committed to providing quality health professionals and pharmaceuticals nationwide. Botswana imports both raw materials and pharmaceutical medicaments thereby increasing the investment opportunities.   Leather and leather products A large number of finished leather products are imported from the region and overseas markets, although there are manufacturers who produce for both the local and export market.

Energy

Currently, Botswana has relatively limited primary energy resources and largely relies on imports. There is substantial potential in renewable energy sources like solar, which is the most abundant in the country. Investment opportunities lie in the energy sector through the supply of related products, solar panels, energy generating equipment and applicators.

Agribusiness

Agriculture continues to be a main sector sustaining the lives of most Batswana and is considered as the touchstone of the society.

Export Enterprise Development

BEDIA identifies market outlets for locally manufactured products, with a major strategic focus on seeking and promoting products that are suitable to enter the export market. This is done through identifying and researching new markets to facilitate targeted export promotion aimed at selected buyers, including investigation of opportunities in markets that have trade agreements with Botswana, so as to maximise benefits.

Export Development Programme

The Export Development Programme (EDP) is a project by BEDIA designed to assist in developing international market entry strategies that identify the objectives, resources and or policies that will in turn assist participating companies develop their sustainable international business focus.

This is a phased programme designed to help companies in the evaluation and development of a profitable export strategy. Hence the programme assumes a ‘baby step’ approach through the development process from initial market evaluation to a fully functioning export operation.

Global Expo Botswana

Global Expo Botswana, the only premiere international business to business exhibition in Botswana is organised and managed by BEDIA. The Expo aims to promote access to the Botswana market, provide foreign direct investment, improve the investment climate and create a culture of entrepreneurship.