Germany helps Botswana leather sector
The Botswana Export Development and Investment Authority (BEDIA) has engaged the services of the Senior Experten Service (SES) from Germany to assist with the training of local manufacturing companies under BEDIA’s Export Development Programme, according to the Botswana Gazette.
The Export Development Programme is a project by BEDIA designed to assist in developing international market entry strategies that identify the objectives, resources or policies that will in turn assist participating companies develop their sustainable international business focus.
According to Kungo Lentswe, deputy director of public relations and communications, the programme aims to help companies in the development of a profitable export strategy. She said the programme assumes a “baby step” approach through the development process from initial market evaluation to a fully functioning export strategy.
“SES is the Foundation of German Industry for International Cooperation,” said Ms Lentswe. “It is a non-profit organization established by four important associations: the Federal Confederation of German Employers' Associations (BDA), the Federal Association of German Industry (BDI), the Association of German Chambers of Industry and Commerce (DIHK) and the German Confederation of Skilled Crafts (ZDH).”
Ms Lentswe said SES offers interested retirees the opportunity to pass on their skills and knowledge to others, both within Germany and abroad. They work in a voluntary capacity as senior experts, helping to train both specialist workers and management staff. “They help others to help themselves, an important contribution towards safeguarding a?small slice of the future. It is a system that benefits all parties.”
For the first time in Botswana, SES will provide training and advise on solving technical and organisational problems.
German leather expert Mr Reinhackel will be assisting two leather companies in Botswana at the beginning of 2011. “Mr Reinhackel will be in Botswana for three months, starting January 17, 2011, to March 17, 2011, to conduct training at Leather Products Botswana in Pilane and Kings Leather Works in Letlhakane respectively, working alongside BEDIA’s Department of Export Enterprise Development,” said Ms Lentswe.
Mr Reinhackel started his career in 1955 as an apprentice technical shoemaker. In 2009, he conducted a successful SES-assignment in Pakistan on the development of a training program on footwear.
“We are pleased to have acquired this kind of expertise to come and groom our local business companies in the leather and leather products sector,” said Ms Lentswe. “BEDIA strives for growth of Botswana companies and it’s steps such as these that will see our own local products making it big in the international markets. It is also an opportunity for those who will learn from Mr Reinhackel to impart their knowledge to other upcoming Batswana in the same industry.”
Mr Reinhackel is the first of the many expected SES experts to visit Botswana this year.
