TRADE AND INVEST IN BOTSWANA
Botswana is best placed to do business with Africa and the world. The country is strategically located in the centre of the 10 of the 15 countries that comprise the southern African region. Botswana also hosts the headquarters of the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) which comprise a total market of over 247 million people.
Botswana has preferential access to both regional and international markets. The SADC Protocol on Trade is designed to ensure reciprocal market access among the member countries.
Botswana also has preferential access to the European Union through the Cotonou Partnership Agreement and to the United States through the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).
As a member of the Southern African Customs Union (SACU), which also includes South Africa, Namibia, Lesotho and Swaziland, Botswana has entered into Preferential Trade Agreements with the European Free Trade Area countries of Norway, Lichtenstein and Switzerland and Southern American States of Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay. SACU negotiations on a Trade and Investment Development Cooperation agreement with the US and Preferential Trade Area arrangements with India are ongoing.
These frameworks create market opportunities for investors wishing to set up in Botswana with the aim of exporting.
Advantages of Doing Business in Botswana;
International legal instruments
Access to land, through Landbanks
Deductable training rebate of up to 200%
Duty-free import of machinery and equipment for manufacturing purposes
Customs duty exemption on raw materials
No foreign exchange controls
Remittance and full repatriation of profits and dividends
No restrictions on business ownership
Low taxes: 15% for manufacturing entities, 15% for International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) registered companies; 25% for other entities; up to 25% personal income tax (income up to P36 000.00/ AUD4,700.00 per annum is tax free)
Negotiable tax holiday up to 10 years maximum
Quality of Life – top three happiest country in Africa.
Well-developed Financial sector and considered one of Africa’s most advanced, including Banks, insurance companies and a growing stock market. Banks and other credit institutions may provide credit and loans to non-resident controlled companies
One of the lowest crime rates in the world
Non militant labour force; highly educated & trainable (82% literacy rate)
One of the world ‘s fastest growing economies in the world
Political Stability; 45 years of multi-party democracy
Economic Stabilitywith sound macro-economic management
Trade is important to us, Please click on some of our Trade partners to learn more about their relationship with Botswana.
Check out the partners. You can view their profiles and keep up to date with all of their latest news!
