26 Mar 2014

The Ministry of Trade and Industry has been applauded for appointing young chief executive officers (CEOs) for Botswana Development Corporation (BDC) and Botswana Investment and Trade Centre (BITC).

Debating the ministry’s budget request for the 2014/15 financial year on Tuesday, March 25, The MP for Gaborone West South, Mr Botsalo Ntuane said such move was an affirmation of local education policies, which the CEOs were products of.

BITC appointed Mr Molefi Sejoe while BDC was run by Mr Bashi Gaetsaloe and the MP said the young CEOs would play a facilitative role for the government owned parastatals.

On the issue of informal sector, Mr Ntuane said it was a matter of the right hand not knowing what the left was doing between the ministry and that of local government and rural development.

He said on the one hand, bye-law officers harassed informal traders whilst on the other the ministry allowed them to trade, adding that a durable and lasting solution to the problem should be found.

On the Citizen Entrepreneurial Development Agency (CEDA), Mr Ntuane said the parastatal should continue to be rolled out and be given more funds to have even more success stories.

He urged the ministry to have ambassadors for CEDA, who would showcase the success of such policies. South East South MP, Mr Odirile Motlhale said small businesses in the country are being taken out of business by multi-nationals, which sell almost everything.

He noted that something should be done to help empower small businesses and called for the relaxation of trade laws for car wash businesses in rural areas.

Mr Motlhale also applauded CEDA for its good performance, noting that many projects were approved by the agency. Kgalagadi South MP, Mr John Toto said it appears the ministry neglects districts like that of Kgalagadi.

He said the ministry should do more and partner with ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture and see potential projects that could be done in his constituency.

Mr Toto said some trade laws are oppressive on small businesses, which continue to survive under the harsh conditions.
Bobirwa MP, Mr Shaw Kgathi said job creation by the ministry would help employ many youths in the country.

He added his voice to the treatment of the informal sector, which he said is the bedrock of the economy. Mr Kgathi said work ethics in the country are affecting the ease of doing business and called for the introduction of business conduct in the schools curricula.

He called on cooperatives revival to look at those that have been performing well like the ones in his constituency. Furthermore, the legislator said the Selibe Phikwe Diversification Unit (SPEDU) should be given utmost attention.

He said the ministry should consider tourism ventures at the Thune Dam and said the eastern corridor is a horticultural hub that should be given serious attention. Ends