14 Apr 2013

Government has been urged to support promising entrepreneurs in its efforts to broaden the country’s revenue base.

The sentiments were echoed by Shoshong MP, Mr Phillip Makgalemele in Parliament last week during the debate on the mid-term review of National Development Plan (NDP) 10.

MP Makgalemele said when such entrepreneurs’ businesses took root, they would be in a position to pay taxes and thus contribute significantly to the country’s revenue base.

He also called upon the government to nurture the informal sector; the growth of which he said would also mean increased taxes. Mr Makgalemele further said it was crucial that agricultural production be enhanced.

This, he noted, would significantly contribute to Batswana enjoying improved livelihoods.

Making his contribution, Letlhakeng East MP, Mr Liakat Kably said it seemed the Ipelegeng programme was the only source of livelihood for rural communities, saying this scenario was worrisome.

Mr Kably said over-dependence on the programme was not good, hence the need for something to be done about it. He said it was important that there be good roads in the country in order to drive developments. He said without proper roads, it was unlikely that the economy would grow as desired.

On the other hand, MP Kably said there was no point in having infrastructural developments when hunger was prevalent.

For his part, Francistown West MP, Mr Tshelang Masisi decried the engagement of Chinese companies in implementing government projects; a thing he said weakened the country’s economy.

Mr Masisi said when local companies were engaged in project implementation, they would willingly pay taxes knowing that it was their own country that stood to benefit.

Furthermore, the MP implored the government to mould its own entrepreneurs to become business-people of repute who could help drive the growth of the country’s economy. ENDS