Botswana courts investors at TIFA
The Botswana Tourism Organisation (BTO) has invited potential investors to consider the southern African nation when they think of investing in the SADC sub-region.
Showcasing some of the bankable projects to the investors at the maiden Tourism Investment Forum Africa (TIFA), Patience Chika, Acting Executive Manager, Investment and Product Development at BTO, said Botswana has attractive investment incentives and regulatory framework to ensure return on investments.
She said aside from the tourism sector, Botswana’s appeal as an investment haven is across many sectors.
Speaking on the reasons to invest in Botswana, the Acting Projects Development Manager at BTO noted that the southern African country enjoys stability across all spheres.
“As a country, our economic climate is very conducive for investment, our political climate is stable and very conducive for investment,” she said.
Assuring further, she
explained that the vision of the Botswana government regarding the
tourism industry in rebuilding the economy after the pandemic provides
opportunities for investors to reap benefits while at the same time
assisting the government in achieving its goals.
Moreover, the country, according to her, offers incentives to investors.
“We really don’t have tourism-specific incentives, but there are other incentives in the economy that support setting up of tourism businesses. Our tax regime is effective, it is not as adverse as in other African states,” she said.
Apart from the incentives and effective tax regime, Botswana has policies that support economic activities.
“As much as our government is driving the citizen’s empowerment initiative, we are open for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).
“Our rating has improved in terms of ease of doing business, it is easy to open a business in Botswana and we also have other support services from other industries that can facilitate investment in the country”.
As well, Botswana is positioning itself as a choice MICE destination amid well-thought-out strategies, according to her.
“It is not a question of developing new MICE, but enhancing what we have because we are not starting afresh, we have been hosting international events before”.
The country is also wooing investments in its cultural heritage sector.
“We are also partnering with communities to sell our cultural heritage to would-be investors because culture and heritage reside with the communities,” she concluded.
