Botswana Export Development and Investment Authority (BEDIA) is confident that despite the global downturn which has dried up liquidity needed for trading, it will reach its targets of netting P60 million in business transactions and increase exhibitors to 250 at this year's Global Expo Botswana (GEB).

Briefing the media on Tuesday, about this year's business to business trade exhibition, BEDIA chief executive officer, Dorcus Makgato-Malesu said she was optimistic about reaching the targets, which include 6,000 visitors as compared to 4,000 visitors who attended last year's fair.

"This is an opportunistic figure (P60 million) especially when the market is a little bit cold, but we believe we can reach our target," she said. This year, Global Expo will be held on 4-7 November and not the last week of October as it has always been since inception in 2006.

The annual trade exhibition aims to attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). This year, it will be held under the theme: 'Unlocking opportunities in the current global recession'.Makgato-Malesu said the challenge in mobilising for this year's GEB is attracting buyers and visitors in the face of the ongoing global recession coupled with Botswana's traditional disadvantage in attracting FDI - the size of the domestic economy.

To meet the targets despite the challenges, she said BEDIA adopted a strategy of direct selling to local and international exhibitors and appointing agents in emerging market economies like India, China and Brazil. BEDIA has also targeted African countries such as South Africa, Tanzania, Kenya and Mozambique. "We believe direct selling is more effective, so we expect to see more deals," she said.

Last year, 182 exhibitors from 10 countries came to the GEB. BEDIA said the last edition generated P50 million, an increase from the 2007 figure of P42 million. The exhibition profile for Global Expo is multi-sectoral but with more emphasis on areas such as agribusiness, leather, ICT, tourism, power and renewable energy. As is customary some of the value added services include an investment forum, buyer-seller meetings and workshops.

In a move geared to lure more visitors, this year's Global Expo will have a cultural day. This will offer Setswana cuisines, artwork display, performances by cultural groups and children entertainment.

Meanwhile, BEDIA is currently hosting a business delegation from India. The delegation of 11 potential investors arrived on Monday for a five-day visit. A statement from BEDIA said the delegation attended a seminar on Monday at BEDIA offices.

The seminar focused on delivering information on the requirements of setting up and doing business in Botswana. In-depth presentations were delivered by representatives from BURS, BEDIA, BDC, Department of Immigration, Department of Labour, Department of Industrial Affairs and GEB. Other presentations were delivered by FEDEX on cargo and logistics in the country.