03 Feb 2015

Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Mr Kenneth Matambo, says a successful fight against corruption is necessary for attracting investors into the country to grow the economy and create more employment opportunities.

Delivering the 2015 budget speech on February 2, Minister Matambo said corruption remained a challenge in Botswana despite accolades on good governance by reputable institutions such as Transparency International.

Thus, he said, achieving economic and social development required continued efforts to address the scourge. In that regard, he said government would be receiving legislation and where necessary, increasing anti-corruption education and promoting partnerships in the fight against corruption.

Furthermore, he said the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime (DCEC) had completed drafting of the National Anti-Corruption Policy, which aimed at promoting accountability and providing a framework against which anti-corruption legislation and other interventions may be undertaken.

He also emphasised that a secure environment was a pre-requisite for both domestic and foreign investments which are necessary ingredients for growth and economic diversification.

Again, he said Botswana like other developing countries, was increasingly becoming susceptible to complex security challenges such as cybercrime, terrorism, human trafficking and drug smuggling, among others.

“As a result, there is need to maintain a high state of readiness to protect people and property against any form of threat. It is for this reason that government continues to invest in security services, as part of an effort to create a conducive environment for growth and economic diversification,” he said.

Meanwhile, Minister Matambo indicated that Botswana had made significant progress on efforts to combat financing of terrorism and money laundering activities.

That, he said was done by enactment of the Counter Terrorism Act, Proceeds and Instruments of Crime Act and Anti Human Trafficking Act during 2014/2015.

Corruption unrulyHe added that further in 2015/2016, Botswana would embark on a National Risk Assessment Programme in order to assess and understand the nature and level of money laundering or terrorist financing risks as well as accordingly determine appropriate response to mitigate such risks. ENDS