_{BITRI Chief Executive Officer, Professor Nelson Torto addressing the business community during the BITRI Business Dinner on 27 May 2017 in Francistown.}

The Mayor of Francistown Mrs Sylvia Muzila has applauded and thanked BITRI for hosting its business dinner in Francistown. Speaking at the event in Francistown on Saturday May 27th the Mayor said “it is humbling when an organisation recognises that Francistown has a lot to offer in terms of partnerships and collaborations. I am happy that you are not only confining yourselves to Gaborone but you are making an effort to engage stakeholders around the country”. She further said BITRI as a research institution funded by the tax payer should remain mindful of its mandate and obligations to the nation by engaging stakeholders so that they know and understand the role they play. Mrs Muzila said BITRI went to Francistown at an opportune time because building a sound research landscape in Botswana is a national priority if the country is to compete in the highly competitive global, social and economic environment. “It is critical that research play a more central role in nation building and economic development in Botswana. Even more important is the development of products and services from our research that will be the critical economic engine for prosperity and growth in our country. I am glad that the Government of Botswana is strongly committed in this area and has already approved the National Innovation Fund that will provide seed and early stage funding for technology based start-ups and ventures and established companies with viable innovation concepts. It is expected to fund innovative companies in order to increase their chance of success and fuel innovation” she said.

The dinner was a technology uptake drive to reach out to captains of the industry, CEO’S of the parastatal, Senior Government Officials, local authorities, the youth as well as SMME’S to share with them the BITRI mandate, the technologies solutions in progress and business opportunities. Still in Francistown BITRI addressed the City Council on its mandate and gave an update on research being conducted.

Meanwhile BITRI exhibited its products and services at the Business Botswana Northern Trade Fair (BBNTF) which ran from 24th to 28th May The theme of this year’s fair was “Business Agility in Botswana: Optimising Business at 50 years & Beyond” and its aim was to provide exhibitors with an opportunity to actively promote their business and network with other exhibitors. In addition, the fair presents a significant opportunity for business branding, creation of new product visibility as well as to promote existing products. The fair will also feature business seminars where exhibitors would interact, network and share ideas.

BITRI participated at the fair and used the platform to promote awareness the BITRI mandate and a focus on some of its projects such as on Climate Change, Foot and Mouth Disease Diagnostic Test Tool Kit, Kalahari Sand Building Block Technology, Morabaraba, Seding Solar Street Lights, as well as the Load Management Device.