16 Feb 2017

Business Botswana has appreciated delivery of the 2017/18 National Budget and commended government for fiscal prudence evident in the deficit that is not as high as expected.
A news release from Business Botswana states that the organisation also acknowledge appreciation of the Pula currency and inflation that has been kept under control.
It states that the private sector also applauds government for putting in place pro private sector policies such as the Doing Business Reforms Roadmap.
However, Business Botswana reiterates concerns about implementation of some policies and encourages government to continue to absorb the private sector’s expertise in addressing some of the economic challenges, and identifying more opportunities for sustainable economic and social development.
It says government’s role is to create an enabling business environment and should allow the private sector to contribute and participate in the economy.
Further, they appreciate government’s infrastructure such as ICT, electricity and water, which are critical enablers for daily business operations.
They have also commended government for having seen the need to diversify into solar energy with an existence of a strategy in place, adding however, that government should publish tariff guides for the private sector to consider doing business in the energy sector.
While Business Botswana appreciates government’s efforts to enhance ICT capacity in Botswana, especially in rural areas, they however encourage government to holistically enhance the capacity in Gaborone, as it still experiences inefficient, underserviced and expensive internet, which ultimately hinders Foreign Direct Investment, adding the issue of intermittent power cuts greatly affects ICT capacity.
Business Botswana further implores government to partner with Business Botswana in the assessment process of work and residence permits.
The organisation has also expressed concern about poor implementation of projects,especially those that are government led and thus implores government to engage the private sector in planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of projects.
The release says Business Botswana appreciates the priority areas set by government and associated expenditure, but with a view that such priorities are not merit against return on investment.
“We had hoped government to have highlighted the achievement in terms of value as this will allow proper monitoring and evaluation,” states the release.
Following closure of BCL Mine, Business Botswana has emphasised the need to accelerate diversification initiatives undertaken by SPEDU with measurable initiatives and timelines that are in accordance with project management standards.
On agriculture, Business Botswana argues that government continues to invest in Agricultural Credit Guarantee Scheme (ACGS) that is running on deficit despite the private sector’s proposal to privatise the scheme.
“We hope the Ministry of Agriculture will consider recommendations and accelerate privatisation of this scheme,” it reads.
Business Botswana is also of the view that the recurrent budget is higher than the development budget and this translates to efficiency and low productivity, hence the need to improve efficiency, performance and delivery in the government operations.
The private sector is of the view that civil servants and local authorities should not run businesses as they are at a competitive advantage and this also affect their efficiency in service delivery.
The release further states that while the private sector recognises the consolidated budget, it would be commendable and transparent for the budget to cover, in detail, allocation of funds for all ministerial economic reforms such as e-government and Doing Business Reforms Roadmap.
Furthermore, Business Botswana anticipates progress on the budget through midterm reviews, where it too can see itself as a private sector, assist and advise government to assess and monitor performance of set goals. ends