04 Aug 2013

Private and public partnerships are critical in economic development to close gaps emanating from the government’s resource constraints, Assistant Minister of Health, Mr Gaotlhaetse Matlhabaphiri has said.

Speaking at the launch of Barclays Bank Botswana and Project Concern International (PCI) partnership in Molepolole last Wednesday, July 31 Mr Matlhabaphiri said government needed  involvement of the private sector and civil society in development because it could not do it alone.

“As government, we celebrate any public private partnership because wherever there are gaps due to government’s resource constraints, we can rest assured that we have able and committed partners on the ground as demonstrated through this partnership today,” he said.

He said the attainment of middle income status by Botswana came at a heavy price as development partners left the country at the very time when the HIV/AIDS epidemic had taken root. He added that this called for collaborative efforts from all developmental stakeholders.

“I cannot over emphasise the joy and gratitude that we feel as government for collaborations between Barclays Bank and PCI. We all know that government cannot do it alone; therefore we need the involvement of private sector and civil society organisations.

 I therefore have no doubt that this collaboration will go a long way in bridging the service gap in the district, so that the district together with the rest of the country, can make a lasting impact in improving the lives of Batswana,” he said.

For her part, PCI country director, Ms Dorothy Tlagae said her organisation has been able to partner with government on HIV/AIDS issues.

She said AIDS does not only affect health, but also affects people economically. She said PCI has decided to partner with women and vulnerable communities to start cooperative savings as a way to promote economic empowerment.

Ms Tlagae said socio-economic groups have the potential to create employment opportunities for families and address challenges. ENDS