29 Mar 2017

 Companies that set up and expand in the country create employment opportunities for Batswana.
Mr Kesiame Dithore, an official from the Department of Industrial Affairs said this when presenting about his department at a business community workshop in Kanye recently.
He said the business community was determined to expand footprints in Botswana as a result creating employment and wealth.
He said the private sector was regarded as the engine of growth because it had the capacity to create sustainable employment and economic diversification, adding that government was accelerating efforts to work hand in hand with the private sector to diversify the economy.
He said it was the government’s mission to create a conducive business environment for all players and enhance effectiveness in the coordination of financial sector, hence several reforms had been adopted.
‘’Government has begun to place emphasis on creative industries as a sector that has potential to create employment, eradicate poverty, diversify the economy and compete with other well established industries’’ he said.
Additionally, he stated that as a continued effort in recognition of the potential value of creative industries, the Economic Diversifications Drive, Companies and Intellectual Property Authority and the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Sport and Culture Development were working hand in hand to assist Batswana.
The strategy, he said, was hoped to inform policy, legislative and operational decisions for the development of the creative industry.
However, Mr Boikhutso Sebitla encouraged Batswana to dwell much on manufacturing businesses because they yielded good result.
He said sewing uniforms and construction were good examples of manufacturing, which could benefit individuals and the economy of the country.
Mr Sebitla noted that in recent years, there had seen increasing awareness and recognition of the role played by micro and small scale enterprises and their contribution to the economy.  
During the workshop, Bye-law enforcement officials from Southern District Council decried non-compliance of some business operators.
Officials said some operated without licenses while others were fronting.
They said operators should ensure that the businesses complied with policies and guidelines.
They further stated that some businesses were dilapidated and dirty, adding that hygiene in a restaurant needed to be adhered to.
The operator should ensure that workers are educated on public health.
Bye-law officers said business operators were not to engage non-citizens as domestic workers as this was contrary to Employment Act. ENDS