The 17th National Business Conference, which is currently underway in Francistown, will see the private sector taking the lead to influence policy formulation and shaping the domestic business environment.
The conference which was officially opened by Vice President Slumber Tsogwane, will act as a platform for the local private sector to engage on matters that directly affect them.
The NBC is held under the theme, “Invigorating Economic Transformation Through the Private Sector”.
Head of Policy and Research at Business Botswana, Mpaphi Tsholofelo, has explained that the theme is an assertion to ignite action and enhance private sector participation in the economy.
Head of Policy and Research at Business Botswana, Mpaphi Tsholofelo, has explained that the theme is an assertion to ignite action and enhance private sector participation in the economy.
The conference, according to Tsholofelo, will focus on key topics such as digital transformation and leadership. In addition, the NBC will have sub-themes such as enhancing the private sector-led economy within the context of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Agreement. Another topic on the table is implementation with the hope that the conference will find answers on how to get it right.
“We have specialised topics such as empowering the health sector,” Tsholofelo said. “The private sector has to take a central role in economic transformation.”
Most importantly, Tsholofelo said this platform will allow the private sector to share ideas as well as build linkages. This is because, for the longest time, there has been a lack of collaboration between small and big entities. As the event is private sector-led, Tsholofelo said it is important to note that these entities are also coming in as funders of the event.
The NBC has availed an online platform for delegates to register, which Tsholofelo said is open to everyone, from individuals to entities. The conference is expected to attract around 500 attendants locally, regionally and internationally who will over the three days, from the 25th to the 28th of August, share insights and best practices to influence policies and strategies to achieve a private sector-led economy.
