- Women make up the bulk of the delegation
The BITC (Botswana Investment and Trade Centre) is collaborating with the European Union (EU)-Funded project, the EU-SADC EPA (Economic Partnership Agreement) Implementation Support Programme in Botswana, to facilitate a Trade Mission to Southern Germany for BIOFACH & VIVANESS from 26 July 2022 to 2nd August 2022.
The Botswana delegation attending this world-class trade fair for organic food and cosmetics includes representatives from five export-ready SMEs that underwent a selection process and fulfilled a set of requirements.
Representatives of the SMEs are Ms Tuduetso Tebape from Nubian Seed (botanical oils and butters), Ms Thamani Thothe from White Label Fragrances (body lotions, fragrances, hotel amenities), Ms Bonolo Monthe from Maungo Crafts (indigenous foods, jams and sauces), Mr Gerrit Stryf from Matebele Milling (herbal tea, devils claw and Kalahari truffles) and Ms Georgia Fuerst-Lathi from DLG Naturals (Morula oils, puree and shells). The delegation also features trade and export officials from the Ministry of Trade and Industry, the National Products Association of Botswana, BITC’s Export Development Unit, as well as export promotion experts from the EU-SADC EPA Implementation Support Programme in Botswana.
“Our plan while in Germany is a seven-day tailor-made visit and study tour with matchmaking and networking programmes for our SMEs,” said Mr Martin Kuchler, Head of Delegation for the Trade Mission and Export Promotion Specialist for the EU-SADC EPA Implementation Support Programme. “This mission presents ripe opportunities for Botswana’s export diversification efforts with focus on the bio and organic niche markets in the short-term. We trust that the selected delegates will find it most fruitful and we look forward to sharing our highlights and plans moving forward, once we return to Botswana.”
BIOFACH is the world’s biggest platform for organic trade with visitors from across the world. During 2020, the fair had 3,448 exhibitors and 47,561 trade visitors from 136 countries. In 2021, the fair took place online and offered numerous highlights for a total of 13,800 registered participants from 136 countries.
One of the SMEs from Botswana is exhibiting at The Organic Africa Pavilion, which takes place at BIOFACH in Nuremberg, Germany from 26 to 29 July 2022. Germany is the second largest organic market in the world and has good prospects for Botswana’s organic products, such as indigenous products, fruits and vegetables – both fresh and processed. VIVANESS is a world-leading exhibition for natural and organic personal care, showcasing an assortment of products for skin, haircare, decorative cosmetics and fragrances, as well as manufacturing materials, product packaging and equipment.
The EU-SADC EPA Implementation Support Programme in Botswana is a 3.5 year programme which launched in February 2021 with the objectives of boosting Botswana’s capacity for trade and to realising the full benefits of the EPA between the EU and SADC. Its goals include promotion of export-led economic diversification and growth, increased foreign direct investment and improved employment in targeted non-mineral value chains, with a potential to strengthen women’s economic empowerment.
