29 Jan 2018

Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry, Mr Vincent Seretse says his ministry has been given a critical role and responsibility of leading the economic transformation process of the country.

Officiating at the ministry’s seventh leadership forum in Kasane recently, Minister Seretse said the priorities of the National Development (NDP) 11 and Vision 2036 emphasised transformation of the country’s economy from middle to upper income level and it was upon the ministry to ensure that this was achieved.

He said for MITI to achieve the given mandate, it should embrace other stakeholders such as the business community, and trade unions.

Mr Seretse pointed out that ICT had a role in economic transformation and therefore when  prioritising key economic drivers, it should be top on the list.

“Vision 2036 pillars emphasise transformation of our country’s economy from middle to an upper income through development of science, technology and innovation,” he said.

He implored the leadership to come up with practical plans and strategies that will translate into real economic tangibles.

On other issues, the minister said the ministry’s performance was moving in the right direction as it had achieved significant milestones in the facilitation of the private sector such as the establishment of Botswana One Stop Service Centre (BOSSC), the approval of competition law and consumer protection and continuous attraction of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).

He however explained that the ministry still has challenges such as delay of the Special Economic Zones to be functional.

In her welcome remarks permanent secretary, Ms Peggy Serame said the theme of the forum, Leading Economic Transformation, Looking beyond 2018,  was in line with the goals of Vision 2036 and NDP 11 under the pillar of sustainable economic development.

Ms Serame further said the outline of the annual forum also included ensuring alignment of parastatals strategies with that of the ministry, review of progress made in the implementation of the resolutions by MITI and its parastatals made in the previous year and to take stock of any new development in government priority policies, programmes and projects and align MITI deliverables to the same. ENDS