26 Oct 2014

The Francistown Investment Forum, which has led to the birth of the Francistown Investment Company (FIC), is in the process of positioning the greater Francistown region as a mining and logistics hub, says former Francistown mayor, Mr James Kgalajwe.

Briefing the media recently, Mr Kgalajwe said the forum in partnership with Botswana Investment and Trade Centre (BITC) was committed to transforming Francistown into a regional economic hub as envisaged in the city’s Vision 2022.

He said the signing would further institute the registration procedures for companies that wanted to partner with FIC. Mr Kgalajwe also said there had been a number of proposals from different institutions and companies in relation to the different projects they presented, but at this point, they cannot reveal much since nothing has not been signed yet.

He noted that the signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Francistown Investment Forum and BITC called for the drafting of the regulatory structure that is aimed at creating conducive business environment in Botswana.

In addition, he said their intention was to operate as a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) offering a number of services and products to its clientele. He noted that such products include but not limited to, availing land to companies within the economic sectors of Agro business, mining, tourism, health, energy and environment.

He stated that FIC has held several meetings and discussions around the strategies that could be employed to contribute to the implementation of the (SEZs) concept, while the required policies and legal framework are being developed.

Furthermore, he said the arrangement called for effective implementation of the SEZ within the greater Francistown region. Those developments, he said would enact a qualification process for companies to register with FIC and for land allocation to those companies within the SEZ area.

Francistown Investment Forum chairperson, Mr Julius Bolokwe acknowledged the media saying it was through their active participation that the forum was echoed in all parts of Botswana. Ends