1818 -10-22
The Botswana Investment and Trade Centre (BITC), through Brand Botswana, signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Limkokwing University of Creative Technology. The main aim of the partnership was to advance relations between the two institutions as well as between Botswana and Malaysia. The two institutions will collaborate on mutually beneficial initiatives in both Botswana and Malaysia as a way to increase awareness of Botswana and her value proposition in Malaysia. Key areas of collaboration include Investment Promotion, Nation Branding, Human Development and Skills transfer. Speaking at the signing ceremony, BITC CEO Mr. Olebile highlighted that the signing of the MOU will have far reaching benefits for both institutions. BITC will tap into the educational institution’s global network and influence in Malaysia, to push the organization’s Investment promotion and country promotion efforts. Limkokwing University has a global footprint that BITC as the country and investment promotion agency will look to exploit.
Olebile carried on to say that through Brand Botswana, the BITC is mandated to create awareness about Botswana in all four corners of the world, hence the eagerness to identity and work with key partners with a presence in Botswana, such as the Limkokwing University which also has a global reach. Malaysia, where Limkokwing University originates, is one of the key markets that BITC is targeting for FDI attraction. Through the MOU, Limkokwing University will assist BITC to penetrate the Malaysian market. The Malaysian market offers a plethora of potential foreign direct investment opportunities, which include, but are not limited to an exploration of Malaysia’s Financial Services, Applied ICT and manufacturing specifically in the areas of textiles and garments, as well as rubber. BITC will pursue these opportunities, through collaborative efforts with Limkokwing University brand.
Limkokwing University is renowned for its cutting edge creative and technological prowess, and this is another avenue that BITC will leverage on. Limkokwing University opened its first African campus in Africa in Botswana 11 years ago. It has since gone on to open campuses in 3 other African countries. Speaking on behalf of Limkokwing University, Vice President of Industry Empowerment and Faculty Leadership His Highness Dato Raja Aznil Hisham thanked BITC for having approached the institution for the partnership. He said the institution takes Botswana as its second home as the Botswana campus was one of their first global campuses, and the first in Africa. He said the partnership will be mutually beneficial for the two institutions and that the two institutions’ will tap into each other’s mandates as well as strengths and resources.
Several key initiatives have already been identified which the two entities will collaborate on, including Botswana’s participation at the London Fashion Week, a Botswana Promotional Activation in Kuala Lumpur. Malaysia, a Cultural Exchange Programme between Botswana and Malaysia, as well as collaborative participation in international Expos in the Asia Market.