02 Mar 2015

About 44 government departments have assisted the informal sector in providing catering services in, at or near government buildings without any charge or levy.

Minister for Presidential Affairs and Public Administration, Mr Eric Molale, told Parliament that several citizen empowerment initiatives undertaken by government over the years culminated in Presidential Directive CAB 18 (A)/2012 dated 27^th June 2012 which approved a comprehensive National Policy on Citizen Economic Empowerment.

Mr Molale said that this policy was subsequently tabled and approved by Parliament in August 8, 2012.

He said the policy guides the administrative decision made by his ministry to request government departments to assist the informal sector in providing services in or near Government buildings without and charge or levy thereof.

Francistown West MP, Mr Ignatius Moswaane had asked him if he was aware that the President issued a Directive which requested government departments to assist the informal sector for catering services to be allowed to display and sell their cooked food on temporary basis in all government buildings.

Mr Moswaane also wanted to know how many government departments have facilitated this arrangement in all major villages, towns, cities. ENDS