10 Feb 2015

There is need to fast track alignment of the education system at tertiary level with the changing dynamic private sector needs, head of research at Motswedi Securities, Mr Gary Juma has said.

Speaking at the Stanbic Bank national budget review in Maun recently, Mr Juma said emphasis should be placed on embracing quality education as a priority element in transforming the human capital and skills base.

The government, he added, attached great importance to education, hence the allocation of a lion’s share of 33 per cent, a five per cent increase from the previous budget to the ministry.

Mr Juma said government should put more focus on implementation to ensure that resources allocated were utilised efficiently and effectively for the transformation of the economy.

“Slow implementation of projects constrains the growth process since a number of pronouncements takes too long to take effect,” he said.

Mr Juma said there was need to channel more resources towards the agriculture sector given its importance in the economic diversification and the development of the rural economy and ultimately poverty eradication.

That, he said, could be achievable through low mechanisation levels, farmer training and close monitoring. Mr Juma also called for an extensive focus on marketing of Botswana as a tourist destination.

An economist from University of Botswana, Dr Jonah Tlhalefang commended the Minister of Finance and Development Planning for the 2015/16 budget, saying it was balanced.

However, Dr Tlhalefang said although the budged was well balanced it lacked solutions to issues that negatively impacted on development since it did not propose any solutions to water and power crisis which were binding constraints on development.

Dr Tlhalefang said a solution to those problems required government to engage with the private sector and openness on part of the government about the crisis was necessary.

“South Africa has begun to engage the private sector in the electricity crisis,” he said.

Dr Tlhalefang noted that a budget was a powerful instrument that government could use negatively or positively on the people and businesses.

“Government’s role is to create conditions by which the private sectors can grow, in return private sectors adds revenue to government through tax,” he said.

He said there was need for appropriate balance between economic and social investment decisions by government.

Dr Tlhalefang also said the 2015 budgeting process was relatively transparent and participatory as budget consultations were held and budget strategy paper released in September 2014.

He said people needed to be informed about the budget and to participate to make the government accountable. ENDS