26 Mar 2014

The Member of Parliament for Tonota South, Mr Pono Moatlhodi has called on the Ministry of Trade and Industry to establish firms in his constituency that could employ about 2 000 people.

Debating the ministry’s budget proposal for the 2014/15 financial year, Mr Moatlhodi said the firms could help absorb young people who were under the Ipelegeng programme.

He said he was grateful for what Botswana Development Corporation (BDC) had done at Tonota Primary School by building two blocks of classes for students living with disabilities.

On informal traders, Mr Moatlhodi said the ministry should ensure and allow these business people to sell wherever they wanted.

Tonota North MP, Mr Fidelis Molao in his contribution said they have abundant land in his constituency like in Mathangwane where firms or factory shells could also be established.

He applauded the ministry for appointing chief executive officers (CEOs) for BDC and Botswana Investment and Trade Centre (BITC), noting that such parastatals could not be run without CEOs.

Mr Molao complained about laws that allowed foreign investors to repatriate all their profits, adding that they should come up with ways that would see some of the profit remaining in the country.

Furthermore, Mr Molao said the Citizen Entrepreneurial Development Agency (CEDA) should be applauded for creating employment for so many Batswana since its establishment. He added that the informal sector should be protected and allowed to develop as it employs many Batswana.

He called on the ministry to oversee that the implementation of drinking depots under the Alcohol levy laws is expedited as the owners of shebeens are losing out on business and earning a living.

He also said blue chip companies must list on the Botswana Stock Exchange (BSE) so that Batswana could purchase shares. Selebi Phikwe West MP, Mr Gilson Saleshando said trade was the backbone of economic growth and wealth creation.

He called on the ministry to be clear on how Batswana can form part of big businesses, noting that the low cost production that the country engages in does not bring in returns.

He said the country should concentrate on high income projects, adding that the cost of production is not affordable for many Batswana owned small businesses.

He said international trade will not help bring in profits for the country, noting that Botswana will continue to export her raw materials to be turned into finished goods, which in turn the country would purchase. Ends