26 May 2019

Francistown East MP, Mr Buti Billy has told Donga ward residents that the Economic Diversification Drive (EDD) policy will be enacted into law during July meeting of parliament this year.

Mr Billy, who was speaking at a kgotla meeting recently, said the decision to put EDD into law was aimed at promoting an inclusive economy where locally produced goods and services would be given preference.

The MP said once passed into law, EDD would bind procuring entities such as government and others to buy locally produced goods.

“For quite some time, local productions were not protected by the law,” he said adding the development would help revive local businesses.

Also, the Francistown legislator relayed that Citizen Economic Empowerment Policy (CEEP) was yet another policy that would be passed into law during the winter parliament.

The policy makes it mandatory for subcontracting of government funded projects to 100 per cent citizen owned companies.

He also told residents about some presidential directives whose intent and purpose was to empower citizens such as the youth.

He cited 2015 presidential directive that directed that all youth willing to buy commercial plots should be allowed to pay in installments.

Mr Billy said the initiative would give the youth an opportunity to own plots and be in a better stead to do business.

He  further stated that presidential directives allowed youth to buy tenders at 50 per cent in order to enhance their competitiveness. ENDS