24 Nov 2015

Botswana’s import bill stands in excess of P70 billion, the Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr Vincent Seretse, has said. 

Speaking at the launch of Citizen Entrepreneurial Development Agency (CEDA) satellite client service centre in Kasane recently, the minister said Botswana continued to import a lot of products and services, hence the rising import bill.  

“For this reason, government continues its unwavering support to provide a conducive environment for the private sector to diversify and grow the economy,” he said. 

Minister Seretse said despite  the absence of CEDA in Chobe, the agency had invested an excess of P100 million in various sectors such as agribusiness and services. 

He further implored Chobe residents to take advantage of the CEDA office to pursue various business ventures to promote production and consumption, which government supported through the Economic Diversification Drive (EDD) initiative. 

He noted that the Chobe community should be positioned to benefit from the Economic Stimulus Programme (ESP) geared towards accelerating job creation through  implementation of development projects in the areas of infrastructure, tourism and manufacturing. 

Mr Seretse added that CEDA, through its business advisory services arm, provided to overcome challenges such as limited information and understanding of markets and finance. 

“I wish to encourage you to make use of this facility to improve your lives and create employment for the Chobe community,” he said adding that the district is endowed with natural resources such as tourism. 

CEDA chief executive officer, Mr Thabo Thamane said the decision to open an office in Kasane was part of their strategic expansion and presence plan. 

“It is driven by the current strategy which aims at enhancing our customer service experience as well as attracting the right business,” he said.

He explained that they intended to cover all the corners of Botswana to avail CEDA services as mandated by government. 

“Chobe District is one of the preferred tourism destinations of this country with a population of 23 449 in 2011 from 14 126 in 1991,” he noted. Ends