Botswana and Trinidad and Tobago prioritize local procurement to support small businesses

Governments in Botswana and Trinidad and Tobago are emphasizing preferential procurement policies to bolster their respective domestic small business sectors.

In Botswana, Trade and Entrepreneurship Minister Tiroeaone Ntsima called for the government to lead by example by utilizing its purchasing power to support local production. Speaking at the Made in BW Sold to the World Expo, Ntsima noted that the Economic Diversification Drive (EDD) must deliver meaningful impact for local enterprises. He suggested that the government should not only look for existing local suppliers but also identify the necessary investments, technology, and standards required to enable citizen enterprises to meet government specifications.

In Trinidad and Tobago, Minister of Trade, Investment and Tourism Satyakama Maharaj announced initiatives to expand the small business sector, which accounts for 95% of all businesses in the country. Through the ‘Buy Local, Build Trinbago’ initiative, the government aims to mandate that departments prioritize domestic producers over foreign entities. Maharaj highlighted that as the nation's largest buyer, the government plays a critical role in supporting entrepreneurs and encouraging retailers to carry local products.