17 Jan 2017

Government is committed to providing development programmes to reduce poverty and unemployment which has afflicted many youth, Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Mr Vincent Seretse has said.

When addressing Kgotla meeting in Mmopane and Gamononyane he said though there was slight improvement in the national economy, the  slow economic recovery of western nations is still a concern.

Mr Seretse who is also Member of Parliament for Mmopane-Lentsweletau said most challenges government is grappling with is water and electricity shortage and efforts are underway to ensure that such resources are accessible to all, citing the construction of North-South Water Carrier II (NSWCII) and plans to draw water from Zambezi river.

The minister said persistent shortage of amenities such as water and electricity which are the engines of economic growth may frustrate economic growth and development in general, hence efforts to ensure their availability.

He said his ministry was busy courting potential investors to set up businesses locally to help in the unemployment issues and also informed that his ministry has secured undertaking from multinational companies doing business in local malls to give Batswana goods space in their businesses.

He encouraged government  departments  to implement EDD initiative which is intended to help grow local economies by purchasing goods and services from local businesses which in turn will reduce unemployment and poverty in the process.

The minister regretted the closure of BCL mine in Selebi-Phikwe which added more woos to unemployment. He however said the closure was unavoidable as the mine was no longer profitable and thanked former employees and Batswana for their patience and understanding on the matter. BOPA