Launching of SILBOTS

The Grand Palm, Gaborone International Conference Centre (GICC)
Gaborone, Republic of Botswana
Wednesday 16th March, 2011

With the recent large investments into the ICT sector of the Republic of Botswana and the growing number of opportunities transpiring, the State Informatics Limited decided to invest in the country through the setting up of a local office.

The official launch of SIL BOTSWANA (PROPRIETARY) LTD was held on the 16th of March 2011 at Gaborone International Conference Centre (GICC), the Grand Palm, in the presence of the Minister of ICT of the Republic of Mauritius, Honourable Tassarajen Pillay Chedumbrum and the Minister of Transport and Communications of the Republic of Botswana, Honourable Frank Ramsden of ICT who is also responsible for the expansion of the ICT sector in Botswana. On the same day SIL BOTSWANA (PROPRIETARY) LTD was also branded as SILBOTS.

Honourable Frank Ramsden stated in his speech that “State Informatics Limited of Mauritius has found a good home, considering that Botswana is ranked among the top ten (10) mining nations in the World. Encouraged by today’s launch, the two countries have taken the right direction, in the spirit of SADC protocols on trade and investment which envisage a Free Trade Area in the region in the not distant future. 

Honourable Tassarajen Pillay Chedumbrum also mentioned in his speech that “The setting up of SILBOTS is the stepping stone that should lead to the broadening of opportunities for cooperation and sharing between our two countries. I therefore wish to see SILBOTS acting as one of the catalysts.

The Launching was also graced by many VIP’s from organizations within the private and public sector which made the event a good start for SILBOTS to venture in a positive direction.

As such, SIL BOTSWANA (PROPRIETARY) LTD has had its office operational since January 2011 at the Gaborone International Finance Park, Botswana.

SILBOTS has already recruited 6 local staffs in the field of UNIX System Administrator, Oracle Database Administration, Oracle Forms Development and Business Development. SILBOTS has also recruited an Administration Secretary who looks after the administrative department and the HR aspect of the office.

SILBOTS vision is to become the leading ICT service provider in the Republic of Botswana and also strengthen the ICT sector in the country as well as empowering local staffs.

Mmegi Online

Speaking at the launch of the company at GICC, SILBOTS Chairman Dr. Ashveen Kissoonah said Botswana's stable political environment, low tax rates, good infrastructure and good industrial relations had attracted the Mauritian investors whose company has a 20-year IT legacy.

"At around 9 percent prior to the global rescession, Botswana had one of the world's highest economic growth rates," said Kissoonah. The company's mission was to foster regional growth and development of ICT in order to service industry through best practices. "This will strengthen our association through the sharing and transfer of technology, knowledge, professional development and critical information," he noted.

"With an increase in mines and other infrastructure projects, SIL is expected to provide turnkey solutions in the field of ICT in the country," Ramsden said.  Mauritian Minister of Information and Communications Technology, Tassarajen Pillay Chedumbrum, said the two countries were fulfilling the AU's mandate of promoting cooperation and regional integration.

He explained that his government was committed to transforming Mauritius into a knowledge-based economy by increasing the efficiency of various priority sectors such as education, health, industry and tourism.

Reuters News

PORT LOUIS (Reuters) - Mauritius plans to become a bigger information and communication technology player on the regional stage through its state-owned firm, State Informatics Ltd (SIL), the chairman said. Once based on sugar and textiles, Mauritius has diversified its economy into tourism, offshore banking and business process outsourcing, marketing itself as a bridge between Africa and Asia to entice foreign investors. "With the launch of State Informatics Ltd Botswana today, we are progressing in our vision of making Mauritius a regional ICT hub," Ashveen Kissoonah told Reuters in an interview from Botswana.

Learn more about the SILBOTS launch from the menu on the right.

Photos of the event	(Click on photos to enlarge)