GABORONE, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- Botswana's president Mokgweetsi Masisi has challenged the local businesses community to leverage on opportunities available in markets such China, India, Brazil, Russia and South Africa.

"Botswana businesses should engage with large firms within these emerging markets to tap into their domestic supply chain, explore opportunities for future trade agreements, as well as to understand these markets," said Masisi, addressing delegates at the annual Global Expo Botswana 2019 on Tuesday.

Masisi said his administration is committed to a modern Botswana that is not only open but is also able to compete with the rest of the world.

Masisi also said Botswana has embarked on the industrial development agenda which presents an opportunity for integration into regional and global value chains.

"We need to nurture the spirit of entrepreneurship in this country, with a view to stimulate economic growth through value addition and beneficiation of our natural resources. And we can only achieve this through strategic partnerships with the emerging economies which are advanced through digitalization and the application of artificial intelligence," Masisi said.

He said the world has now moved from reliance on natural resources to knowledge-based economies. Enditem