07 Aug 2018

Ministry of Investment Trade and Industry has embarked on consultations on liqour trading hours.

According to Minister Bogolo Kenewendo, consultations followed public complaints on the matter.

Ms Kenewendo told residents of Orapa during a meeting recently that some members of the public and business people had complained that trading hours were not favourable to them.

Some had said the Liquor Act of 2003 had, with its reduction of trading hours, resulted in loss of business, loss of jobs and indulgence in cheaper illicit brews.

Under the act, liquor outlets are not allowed to operate in areas that are less than 500 metres from schools, churches, main roads and high ways except those that existed before implementation of the act.

“The ministry continues to encounter challenges in implementing the Liquor Act and has made proposals to review it with a view to exempt bottle stores, liquor wholesalers and liquor distributors from the 500-metre distance requirement from a school, highway, major road or church,” she said.

Minister Kenewendo further indicated that companies getting tenders from government should engage local companies.

The minister was responding to Mr Justin Otimilwe, who had suggested that bigger foreign companies getting tenders locally should be encouraged to forge joint partnerships with local companies.

In addition, Minister Kenewendo said government had started implementing protection of intellectual property, explaining that fake designer clothes bought across the border would be destroyed.

Furthermore the minister said her ministry was scouting for premises to house CEDA and LEA offices in Letlhakane, adding that the two were expected to kick start operations in Letlhakane soon.

During comments, Ms Dineo Marae who sells clothing complained about poor service provision when crossing borders from Zambia into Botswana, saying clearance of goods took longer.

She also complained of high tax charges.

Mr Mogomotsi Koontse complained that government departments were failing to procure goods from local entrepreneurs.

Mr Koontse said upon enquiry they were informed by some public officers that government was not legally bound to procure goods locally. ENDS