PBG Awards add women, youth prizes

Managing Partner at Grant Thornton Kalyanaraman Vijay says his company’s Private Business Growth Awards will have new additional awards for best woman and youth in private business this year.

Briefing the media on Tuesday Vijay said the addition of top woman and youth in business awards reflects the growth of the awards every year since inception in 2015. He said the outstanding woman and youth in business recognition is to celebrate the individual who has truly excelled in owning independent entities.

Moreover, Vijay indicated that the awards have demonstrated the potential to stimulate growth of the private-owned businesses hence diversifying the economy.

He said the private business growth awards intend to recognise and develop private entities in Botswana that contribute to growth of private sector.

“The fifth edition of the awards from humble beginnings marks the significant milestones achieved by the partnership of Grant Thornton, Business Botswana (BB) and Botswana Investment and Trade Centre (BITC) in stimulating economic growth,” he said.

Vijay said from inception in 2015 when the PGBA had one category for all private businesses, the awards experienced tremendous growth over the years in terms of participation by businesses including category expansion.

“We just started with only one category .In the 2^nd year we introduced two categories being small to medium sized enterprise and large size enterprise. 2018 was even more successful realising a significant growth in terms of participation and footprint reaching 14 locations around the country such as Bobonong, Kanye, Lobatse and Mochudi just to mention few,” he added.

Selection criteria of the awards range from innovation, market development, people and culture, strategic leadership, financial measures and operational information.

BB Chief Executive Officer Norman Moleele said the PGBA is aligned with their mandate and helps grow Botswana businesses and encourage the private sector to bring out their innovative thinking. “Platforms such as this substantiate our effort to encourage private businesses to play a key role in economic development. We will continue to support and partner with Grant Thornton on this initiative and we are also open to other initiatives that support private sector development in Botswana,” Moleele equipped.

He also said Women in Business Association (WIBA) will play a crucial role in facilitating the award criteria of best woman in business because of the association’s knowledge in knowing women in business better.

The PGBA 2018 winners include Sprint Couriers, Flo-tek, Nashua, Security Systems, Hotwire, Mr Veg, and Brastorne Enterprises.