25 May 2018

Government plans to introduce massive adjustments and re-orientation of immigration policies to create conducive business environment in order to attract and keep investors of value.

President Mokgweetsi Masisi announced this during the High Level Consultative Council (HLCC) in Gaborone on Thursday.

“Those who are employers and were struggling with visas, permits for residence or employment, note that we intend to facilitate them as expeditiously as possible,” he said. 

He, however, said their issuance would be accompanied by organisations’ requirements.

President Masisi further explained that the purpose of such reforms is to attract investors and make it easier for companies to set up and do business in Botswana.

In line with his road-map the President announced during his inauguration that, he was ‘determined to work hard to facilitate creation of as many jobs as possible’. 

“Jobs are, and will continue to be created when government positions itself to do what it ought to do,” he said, adding that the government intends to create a conducive environment for the private sector to flourish in order to create sustainable jobs.

To this end, the President said government continued to dialogue and commit to support the private sector’s efforts through reforms that will improve the doing business climate to expand investment and create employment, among other things. He said cabinet has initiated a number of legislative amendments that support the agenda aimed at reducing the cost of doing business through simplified administrative procedures.

To this end, he said World Bank Group would present an update on how the country was progressing in the Doing Business rankings and what needed to be done to improve the locus that has declined from 71 to 81 out of 190 countries.

On other issues, President Masisi said government has prioritised the implementation of the cluster development initiatives across a number of sectors such as beef, tourism and financial services, adding that mining and beneficiation will follow.

He also said government would expedite implementation of Special Economic Zones, an initiative that is expected to contribute immensely to the development of the country by providing a hassle-free business environment that offers investors a competitive edge in world markets.

The President said the Botswana One Stop Service Centre (BOSSC) would be provided with the requisite resources to service investors with high levels of effectiveness and efficiency. 

He said a consolidated Board of Investment that ensures availability of requirements of investors was being established and that agencies that deal with trade should work together and complement each other’s efforts to provide seamless service to investors who come to Botswana. 

This, he said would also facilitate expansion of existing investment.

Meanwhile, Business Botswana president, Mr Gobusamang Keebine said they wished to see government’s deepened engagement with private sector in an endeavour to create jobs.

He complained about delayed payments to service providers, which he said negatively affect the cash flow of companies leading to some closing down. 

“We urge government to re-evaluate its payment processes and commit to timeliness for the benefit of both parties,” he said.

Mr Keebine also called on government to shed light on what was hindering the implementation of e-Gov, which he said was a setback for improving and delivering government services, exchange of information and communication transactions. BOPA