03 Jun 2019

Shoshong business community has been challenged to engage in robust and innovative strategies aimed at stimulating rural economies and improving livelihoods of the community.

Officiating during the 8th annual Shoshong Constituency Investment and Promotions Expo on June 1, Acting Minister of Agricultural Development and Food Security, Mr Kostantinos Markus said businesses in the rural communities must act together with the private sector to diversify the economy.

He explained that the global economy continued to be characterised by sluggish economic activities due to uncertainty in the global market resulting in limited employment opportunities. Mr Markus said the situation therefore called for the empowerment of the rural populace with entrepreneurial skills to be in a position to benefit from the Economic Diversification Drive (EDD).

He growth in the local manufacturing industry, leading to increased exports would go a long way in growing and diversifying the economy.

“EDD is a government strategic initiative to support local production of goods and services,” he said.

Since the inception of EDD, Mr Markus said government had spent P7.2 billion in goods and services produces locally.

The acting minister also appealed to the business community in the Shoshong constituency to engage in strategic research in order to tap into opportunities presented by EDD.

Mr Markus stated that Shoshong Investment and Promotions Expo aimed at ensuring economic stimulation of business activities in the rural communities and also encouraged investment in rural areas.

Through it, exhibitors present business opportunities which need to be exploited to create employment opportunities for the local community, he noted.

He appealed to the communities to grow their economy and be self-reliant. Mr Markus applauded businesses and individuals who collaborated with the Shoshong community over the years, for their commitment in growing the rural economy.

Meanwhile, Shoshong Member of Parliament, Mr Dikgang Makgalemele said the annual exposition was aimed at promoting the constituency.

“With the assistance from experts and our constituency in different disciplines of the business environment, we have identified potential areas to attract investors,” he said.

Even though agriculture was the primary focus of attracting investors towards developing the rural economy, Mr Makgalemele said Shoshong presented other potential opportunities to tap into.

“We are here to lobby investors and government departments to support the idea of investing in rural areas,” he said adding that the constituency was also at the forefront of developing a business strategy for the agricultural sector in the country.

“When we look at the agricultural sector in its diversity, we see nothing but wealth. We stand ready and committed to develop agriculture and bring wealth to our constituency,” he said.

Mr Makgalemele appealed to the community to fully utilise and manage the assistance extended to them through ISPAAD.

“At a personal level, I am a strong supporter of the local produced cattle breed of Mosi,” he said.

Mr Makgalemele said the breed had passed all the tests and would therefore sustain the country, adding that the constituency was in a position to promote the breed as one of the initiatives aimed at reviving the agriculture sector.

Mr Makgalemele, who is also the Assistant Minister of Youth Empowerment, Sport and Culture Development further advocated for investors to focus in rural development. “This is where the majority of our people live and Shoshong is ready to be a model of investing in rural areas,” he said.

Meanwhile, Shoshong Constituency Investment and Promotion Expo committee chairperson, Mr Samuel Mphoyakgosi said the event provided the relevant platform for the development of the rural economy. “We know what value we can add to the economy of our rural locations and what opportunities we have in our area with the sole aim of creating employment opportunities for our people,” he said.

Mr Mphoyakgosi was optimistic that the exposition was bearing fruits. “We remain steadfast in achieving our goal,” he said. ENDS