14 Feb 2019

Francistown has been identified as one of the Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and is among the seven SEZs that will be master planned by August 2019.

Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry, Ms Bogolo Kenewendo told Parliament on Wednesday that some business development initiatives had been undertaken in Francistown, including investor seminars, which were part of the ministry’s investment and trade outreach programme in 2018/19.

He said such efforts were bearing fruit as they were currently in discussion with a producer and a private hospital to set up operations in Francistown.

Additionally, he said her ministry through Botswana Investment Trade Centre (BITC) held stakeholder engagement meetings with the Francistown leadership to join hands in attracting investment to the city.

Ms Kenewendo said BITC had since requested for reservation of commercial plots in Gerald Estates to be allocated to deserving investors.

She explained that her ministry continued to attract investment and encourage business development across Botswana through its various targeted investment promotion initiatives.

Through BITC, she said, they conducted a regional opportunities mapping study to map out opportunities in various regions across Botswana. She highlighted that opportunities identified in the Francistown region included mining supplies and logistics hub, energy production, cargo and logistics services as well as manufacturing (salt processing and protective clothing).

According to Minister Kenewendo, the results of the study had since informed the development of the National Spatial Plan, which maps out the development path for the regions to effectively harness their natural endowments and realise investment opportunities anchored around each region’s core competencies.

Further, Ms Kenewendo said there was no consideration of establishing the Francistown Economic Diversification Unit (FEDU). She added that in their quest to facilitate equitable distribution of investments across the country, the ministry through BITC was scheduled to open a One Stop Business Services Centre in Francistown before the end of 2018/19 financial year.

She explained that the office would be responsible for promoting business development and encouraging investment in the northern part of Botswana.

The office will also service both domestic and foreign investors in Francistown and its surrounding areas as well as adjacent regional blocks such as SPEDU, Orapa/Letlhakane, Pandamatenga/Kasane, amongst others.

She was responding to a question from the Member of Parliament for Francistown South, Mr Wynter Mmolotsi, who had asked the minister what her ministry was doing to attract investment in Francistown considering the current unemployment situation that resulted from the closure of mines.

Mr Mmolotsi also wanted to know whether the minister would consider establishing the FEDU to perform similar functions to SPEDU.

Responding to another question, Minister Kenewendo said the contracts for the CEOs of parastatal organisations were negotiated with the Board of Directors, who make recommendation to the minister.

MP for Selebi Phikwe West, Mr Dithapelo Keorapetse had asked the minister to state if the contract of the CEO of the Gambling Authority was due for renewal when it expired.Francistown has been identified as one of the Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and is among the seven SEZs that will be master planned by August 2019.

Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry, Ms Bogolo Kenewendo told Parliament on Wednesday that some business development initiatives had been undertaken in Francistown, including investor seminars, which were part of the ministry’s investment and trade outreach programme in 2018/19.

He said such efforts were bearing fruit as they were currently in discussion with a producer and a private hospital to set up operations in Francistown.

Additionally, he said her ministry through Botswana Investment Trade Centre (BITC) held stakeholder engagement meetings with the Francistown leadership to join hands in attracting investment to the city.

Ms Kenewendo said BITC had since requested for reservation of commercial plots in Gerald Estates to be allocated to deserving investors.

She explained that her ministry continued to attract investment and encourage business development across Botswana through its various targeted investment promotion initiatives.

Through BITC, she said, they conducted a regional opportunities mapping study to map out opportunities in various regions across Botswana. She highlighted that opportunities identified in the Francistown region included mining supplies and logistics hub, energy production, cargo and logistics services as well as manufacturing (salt processing and protective clothing).

According to Minister Kenewendo, the results of the study had since informed the development of the National Spatial Plan, which maps out the development path for the regions to effectively harness their natural endowments and realise investment opportunities anchored around each region’s core competencies.

Further, Ms Kenewendo said there was no consideration of establishing the Francistown Economic Diversification Unit (FEDU). She added that in their quest to facilitate equitable distribution of investments across the country, the ministry through BITC was scheduled to open a One Stop Business Services Centre in Francistown before the end of 2018/19 financial year.

She explained that the office would be responsible for promoting business development and encouraging investment in the northern part of Botswana.

The office will also service both domestic and foreign investors in Francistown and its surrounding areas as well as adjacent regional blocks such as SPEDU, Orapa/Letlhakane, Pandamatenga/Kasane, amongst others.

She was responding to a question from the Member of Parliament for Francistown South, Mr Wynter Mmolotsi, who had asked the minister what her ministry was doing to attract investment in Francistown considering the current unemployment situation that resulted from the closure of mines.

Mr Mmolotsi also wanted to know whether the minister would consider establishing the FEDU to perform similar functions to SPEDU.

Responding to another question, Minister Kenewendo said the contracts for the CEOs of parastatal organisations were negotiated with the Board of Directors, who make recommendation to the minister.

MP for Selebi Phikwe West, Mr Dithapelo Keorapetse had asked the minister to state if the contract of the CEO of the Gambling Authority was due for renewal when it expired. ENDS