Opportunities for Business in Botswana

Operations Division

provides monitoring and supervision services to the Corporation portfolio of companies engaged in a wide range of activities such as textiles, building and construction, food and beverages, furniture etc.

Investment Opportunities

1. Downstream manufacturing using locally available raw materials and by-products e.g. cattle.
· electronic components for telephones
· packaging materials
· pharmaceuticals
· jewelry, leather goods

Property Division

· Commercial and Industrial Property Development
· Residential Property Development

Agri-busines Division

   - Dairy, Poultry, Irrigation Crop Production
(in view of the amount imported), Stock feed production, Livestock breeding and feedlotting.

I.F.S.C.

· Opportunities
· Banks
· Management Companies
· Insurance Companies

The I.F.S.C. is a project aiming to make Botswana one of the regions leading location for the provision of international financial services. A very good environment exists to attract financial institutions and other services who will primarily provide that services to customers outside Botswana.

Incentives

1. Low corporate tax of 15% on the profits they earn
2. Objective: Why on I.F.S.C.
· Sustainable – employment creation for suitably qualified citizens
· To enhance the skills base of the Botswana workforce
· To diversify the revenue base of the country
· To booster increased use of modern technology.

Both BEDIA and BDC construct factory buildings for leasing out investors.

· BDC owns both commercial and industrial properties and it is so easy to start operations at.
· BEDIA has an investor services Division which commenced operations in August 2001. This division provides
investor needs and after care to both existing foreign and citizen owned businesses through one stop
service center

The focus is to enable investors to secure

· Clearances and approvals quickly e.g. company registration
- operating licenses
- visitors visas
- residence and work permits
· Guidance on securing facilities such as
- land
- factory building
- utilities

16 fully services workstations and officers are available 10 hours a day to help people with inquiries. There is a library, internal service and meeting fully equipped meeting room. The center was established with the help of the private sector.

QUESTIONS TO GUIDE THOSE INQUIRING ABOUT CUSTOMS REGULATIONS

• What is the allowance for alcohol beverages brought into Botswana ?
• How do I bring my prescription medicine into Botswana ?
• What are the requirements for bringing my cat or dog into Botswana ?
• What kind of food products can I bring into Botswana ?
• Is there a duty-free allowance for merchandise shipments?
• What is the duty-free allowance for sending gifts?
• Which countries are included in the Southern African Customs Union?
• Which textile products cannot be sent to Botswana from the United States ?
• Can I bring a car to Botswana ?
• Can I bring firearms and ammunition into Botswana ?
• How much money can I bring into Botswana ?
• What items are prohibited from entry into Botswana ?

Answers to the questions above can be found at the Department of Customs and Exercise website a t: http://www.finance.gov.bw/customs/index.htm