18 Sep 2016

The Economic Stimulus Programme (ESP), along with other initiatives such as Economic Diversification Drive (EDD) and Citizen Economic Empowerment present more opportunities for Batswana, the Vice President, Mr Mokgweetsi Masisi has said
Speaking during the Central District Council (CDC) meeting in Serowe on Thursday, Mr Masisi said the ESP was tailored to empower Batswana and enhance import substation, thus boosting prospects for interrelated segments of entrepreneurship.
He said people tended to only appreciate the direct benefit of the programe, ignoring its indirect opportunities.
He said construction did not only benefit brick moulding enterprises, but also benefitted enterprises that contributed directly and indirectly to the brick moulding industry.
The VP said government had decided that all raw materials needed for ESP projects should be procured locally so that more Batswana could benefit.
He said it was stipulated in ESP invitation to tender documents that if the raw materials were available locally they must be procured locally.
He said entrepreneurs should register for EDD and with prospective procurers so that their existence could be known.
He said it was upon the political leadership to make sure that set procurements procedures were followed, adding that ESP called for efficiency and mind set change. ENDS