07 Dec 2015

Permanent Secretary to the President Mr Carter Morupisi has decried abounding misconceptions and untruths around the Economic Stimulus Programme (ESP), calling on public officers to disseminate the right and correct information regarding the initiative.Addressing employees of Information and Broadcasting services at the Mass Media Complex on Friday, Mr Morupisi said the two departments are one of the key stakeholders of the initiative as they are tasked with informing and educating the nation.

“The ESP is a government intervention. Government has put in place both austerity and mitigation interventions to cushion the effects of continued global market volatility and it is in this context that government has introduced the ESP,” he said.

He indicated that this intervention is not only for government but it will also require the participation of everyone and most importantly the private sector.

“It is an inclusive programme and the private sector will be heavily involved and what government will be tasked with is providing certain resources and facilitating the process,” said

Mr Morupisi, adding that the private sector will also be tasked with initiating some of the work.
He indicated that government will use its expenditure to expand the economy through accelerated economic diversification while creating employment opportunities in the country including growth in the private sector.

“ESP is moreover a bold blueprint for the urgent delivery of national priorities and the goals and objectives of ESP are consistent with our nation’s long term vision as well as government’s roadmap for a more prosperous, productive future as guided by the principles of democracy, discipline, development and dignity with enhanced public service delivery,” he said.

Mr Morupisi further said the goals of ESP are to stimulate the economy, diversify the economy through Economic Diversification Drive (EDD), Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and accelerate job creation.

“Government wants the effects of ESP to be felt by everyone and not only those in cities and the local economy should be the biggest recipient of this,” he said, adding that local products and services should be given priority so that the benefits are spread out so that the majority of people benefit.

“What people should note is that the implementation is aligned to government’s established planning process and existing policy frameworks and no laws will be sidestepped to implement the ESP,” said the Permanent Secretary to the President.
Speaking about the targeted sectors, Mr Morupisi said agricultural production, tourism development, EDD, manufacturing, buildings and road construction and maintenance, re-skilling of youth and the establishment of SEZs are the targeted sectors.

Touching on a few of the sectors, he said regarding manufacturing, the aim of the initiative is to promote citizen empowerment through a preference margin provided for local firms in public procurement, while ensuring competitiveness among suppliers of goods and services and emphasis will be on stimulating local manufacturing for domestic consumption as well as import substitution through increased commitment to EDD by both public and private sector.

 

“In districts, this programme will be anchored by District Commissioners and I will be leading the technical committee and the Vice President Mr Mokgweetsi Masisi is the champion of ESP,” he said. Ends