- Gare opens store and urges investors to set up manufacturing plants
- Chinese department store sits on 4000msq at Airport Junction
Retailers looking to set up shop in Botswana should also consider establishing manufacturing plants in the country to offset the country’s high import bill and increase exports, the Minister of Entrepreneurship, Karabo Gare, has said.
Speaking at the opening of Besco Hyper Store at Airport Junction Mall in Gaborone this week, Minister Gare described establishment of Besco Hyper Store, which is the first one in the country, as a response to unemployment, wealth creation and citizen economic empowerment. “Following the global outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, which reversed gains made in the past decades, the government engaged in full force to create a conducive business environment to position Botswana as an investment destination of choice,” he said.
“The main aim of the government is to promote a purposeful and innovative way of engaging with the private sector to discuss and formulate productive partnerships that support socio-economic needs and for ease of doing business.” Besco Hyper Store has employed 70 Batswana, mainly the youth. The retailer sells affordable quality products that include home decor, houseware, office supplies and luggage bags made mainly in China.
Its parent company has seven stores in different parts of South Africa under the name Penda Stores. “The establishment has cost approximately P30 million in stock, store decoration, shelving and maintenance,” the minister noted. “The store sits on a 4000 square metre lot, making it one of the biggest stores that the parent company owns.” Also speaking at the official opening ceremony, a director of Besco Hyper Store, Wen Juan, said their plan is to work hand-in-hand with Botswana and support the country by creating employment.
“We don’t intend to only create employment here in our store but to also play a role in the communities by giving back through many other projects,” he said.
