16 Feb 2020

The demand for convention facilities has over the years increased and play a crucial role in the promotion of the tourism industry and the economy.

 Speaking at the official opening of the revamped Phakalane Convention Centre  recently, the Vice President Mr Tsogwane commended Phakalane Golf Estate management for promptly responding to government’s drive to transform the country into a conference  hosting hub.

 With the demand for convention and conference  facilities poised to be on a rise, Mr Tsogwane said it was pleasing that the Phakalane Golf Estate management saw it fit to increase the conference center carrying capacity from 350  to 1500 for both conferences and other banqueting services, hence an increase in jobs from 125 to 175 people.

 He indicated that the country’s geographic location, coupled with an integrated transport network and leading-edge information and communication technology would enable Botswana to trade and invest regionally and internationally.

 Botswana’s key priority, he said was to consistently use her strategic geographical position in Southern Africa as a launch-pad into the rest of the SADC region and globally adding that her political and economic stability was unparalleled in Africa.

 Mr Tsogwane said that the economic stability further extended to the country’s macro-economic environment and economic growth as well as continued high sovereign credit ratings.

 He said government had realised the value of tourism to the economy and to promote Botswana overseas with a clear vision that the country had the capability and capacity to host international events.

“ I would like to encourage management of Phakalane convention centre to work hard to position the facilities as a baseline for facilitation of President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi’s optimistic vision to ensure that Botswana becomes a hive of international conferences in the Africa,” he said.

The facilities, he said was a fulfillment of one of the vision 2036 pillars of sustainable economic development which also sought to address private sector led economic diversification with sustainable and viable opportunities.

He emphasised that government would continue with efforts towards creating a relaxed regulatory environment for starting a business in Botswana, through the Doing-Business-Strategy and Roadmap.

Such efforts, he noted, included reforming business regulations across various areas that were central to business. The Vice President highlighted that government would continue to review and make strategic reforms in order to ensure that Botswana fully exploited her potential as an investment destination of choice, thus expressed confidence that the conducive environment for doing business in the country were a driving force for the country’s optimistic economic outlook.

Meanwhile , Phakalane Golf Estate  chairperson, Mr David Magang applauded government for its obligation to facilitate trade and investment by creating a conducive environment for the private sector to thrive.

Mr Magang pleaded with government to further provide a conducive environment for economic growth that required adequate infrastructure and provided better connectivity while enhancing productivity.

He said Infrastructure and utilities like electricity, water supply and telecommunication services were essential towards creating a conducive economic environment that would benefit the country.

Mr Magang    said the presence of the convention centre would not only improve the tourism sector in but would also bring multiple effects to the economy. ENDs