ASCCI to hold regional meeting in Botswana

involvement in the regional integration process.
ASCCI in collaboration with Centre for the Development of Enterprise and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit will hold the workshop in Gaborone between March 1 and 2.
The purpose of the workshop is to define the ASCCI Strategic Plan for the next five years and discuss the synergies with Sadc Employers Group (recently named Sadc Private Sector Forum).
The meeting will also look at other regional business interest groups to build a consolidated Sadc Private Sector voice, and to develop the resource mobilisation strategy.
Indications are that the meeting will also come up with an elaboration of a business plan to be presented to potential donors.
This workshop is being organised by the Botswana Confederation of Commerce, Industry and Manpower which has been recently appointed as ASCCI secretariat.
BOCCIM executive director Ms Maria Machailo-Ellis said the workshop would help define ASCCI’s strategic plan for better involvement of the private sector with focus on efficient advocacy that will lead to improved business and investment climate in Sadc.
“The workshop will bring together representatives of chambers of commerce from the Sadc region and key experts on trade and regional integration issues. It will provide a forum for discussing global trends and key developments in regional integration.
“Moreover, it will discuss the activities required to deliver the strategic objectives, as well as the implementation plan for the fund mobilisation strategy,” she said.
The meeting will involve the key organisations such as Sadc Secretariat, EU Delegation, CDE, GIZ, International Labour Organisation, United Nations Industrial Development Organisation, and South African Institute of International Affairs.
The official opening will be attended by, among others, high commissioners and ambassadors from Southern Africa, Ministry of Trade and Industry from Botswana, Southern Africa Trade Hub, Swedish Trade Council, United Nations Development Programme and Sadc Development Finance Resource Centre.
ASCCI is a regional private sector apex organisation that brings together Sadc national chambers of commerce and industry from all the Sadc member states and was established in 1985. The aim of the organisation is to enhance the private sector’s role in the regional integration agenda.