03 Nov 2016

 Assistant minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Mr Biggie Butale says SPEDU is indeed still working within its mandate.

Responding to a question in parliament, Mr Butale said SPEDU was established as Selebi Phikwe Economic Diversification Unit for regional economic development of Selebi Phikwe Town and the surrounding sub-districts.

He said the unit was transferred to the then Ministry of Trade and Industry in April 2012 and was registered as a Company Limited by Guarantee in July 2012.

Mr Butale noted that SPEDU was established to among others; carry out business as a regional economic diversification Agency that facilitates sustainable Economic growth and diversification; and creation of sustainable employment opportunities for the region.
He said the number of jobs SPEDU helped to create total 286 constructions and project implementation jobs as well as 334 permanent jobs.

He also stated that the cost of running SPEDU office including staff and operations is P32 million per annum.

“The company has facilitated projects inclusive of major feasibility studies and management plans development with a total investment value of P226.6m by both government and the private sector,” he said.

Mr Butale said SPEDU successfully facilitated The Thune dam master plan and financial approval is expected by end of November 2016, Platjan Bridge, horticulture processing plant as well as pula steel.

He also highlighted that from the year 2015, the company has embarked on an accelerated investment promotion drive in collaboration with other key stakeholders such as Botswana Investment Trade Centre BITC and the Botswana Tourism Organization (BTO).

Mr Butale was answering a question from the MP for Selebi Phikwe West Mr Dithapelo Keorepetse who wanted to know if SPEDU is still working within its mandate and the number of job creation activities the unit has done since its inception.
He also asked about the cost of running SPEDU office . ENDS