10 Jan 2019

Government has formulated a national transformation strategy to unlock the tremendous potential of human and financial resources in the country.

This was said by Vice President Mr Slumber Tsogwane when addressing a kgotla meeting in Orapa Wednesday.

He explained that the aim of the strategy was to change the way business was being done by increasing citizen participation in economic growth.

Citizens, he said, should be empowered to produce quality products that could compete in the international market.

Mr Tsogwane also said  it was critical to have a knowledge based economy and increase job opportunities.

He said the objective was to depeen and broaden beneficial participation of citizens in all sectors of the economy.

National Development Plan 11, he said, emphasises inclusivity and the fact that no one should be left behind.

Also in place Mr Tsogwane said, was the national employment strategy, financial inclusion strategy and supplier development programme.

The vice president said small micro and medium enterprises (SMMEs)contributed immensely to economic growth therefore would be assisted to enhance  their business.

He disclosed that government had plans to partner with private sector to boost SMMEs.

Government, he said, planned to allow Batswana to use immovable and movable property as security when applying for funding.

The intention was to work with Debswana to open a programme dubbed Tokafala to allow Batswana to get funding for businesses by raising US $8 million, he said adding that the move should increase the number of small scale entrepreneurs.

Mr Tsogwane stated that the supplier development programme would assist entrepreneurs in identifying markets for their products.

Commenting, one of the residents, Mr Jewel James, said the youth failed to qualify for Citizen Entrepreneurial Development Agency funding due to lack of securityHe requested that the requirement be reviewed.

Another resident, Mr Modisetsi Moitobi applauded the current government for promoting consultation with the nation.

Mr Moitobi complained that Debswana made a lot of promises to farmers when relocating them to Setata Farm but failed to keep them.

He expressed concern that 10 farmers owning a large herd of cattle were crowded in a six by six farm.

The relocation issue, he said, remained unresolved. Ends