Luanda, 7th December 2022: Today the Embassy, the Ministry of Youth, Gender, Sports and Culture, the Ministry of Communications, Research and Technology, and BEMA participated in the 10th Summit of Heads of State and Government side events (OACPS Business Days, Youth Forum, and Diaspora Forum) held at Hotel de Convenções de Talatona in Luanda, Angola.
The OACPS Business Days held under the theme “Promoting the competitiveness of OACPS SMEs in the global market” was officially launched by the President of the Republic of Angola, H.E Dr. João Lourenço. The event is aimed at promoting the economic transformation of the Members of the OACPS through industrialisation and private sector engagement. Botswana currently holds the Presidency of the Business Forum through Ms. Mmantlha Sankoloba, CEO of the Botswana Exporters and Manufacturing Association (BEMA). The Business Forum is responsible for organising the OACPS Business Days and Ms. Sankoloba was a Panellist. Main activities for the Business Days included a series of workshops among others on the followings:
- Redefining the OACPS Private Sector Development Strategy;
- How to facilitate MSMEs growth and access to finance; and
- Developing sustainable agriculture value chains.
The Youth Forum was held under the theme “Economic and Social Impact of Road Accidents Role on the Youth.” While the Diaspora Forum was held under the theme: “Policies and Practices of Engagement with Diaspora”. The initiative recognises the importance of the Diaspora in national economic development. Through the Platform, the considerable potential of the diaspora in terms of capital, knowledge, and networks will be further leveraged through the diversification of strategic partnerships, as well as the establishment of appropriate policies and targeted programs. The Platform will also provide member states with targeted technical assistance that will enable them to deepen their diaspora engagement productively and sustainably.
