01 Feb 2021

Government has proposed that P14.5 billion be allocated as additional fiscal resources for an Economic Recovery and Transformation Plan (ERTP).

In his budget speech February 1 , the Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Dr Thapelo Matsheka, said P7 billion of the allocated P14.5 billion had been budgeted for the 2021/2022 financial year. 

“To ensure that our efforts are focused and aligned to the identified priorities, spending will be channelled towards the development of economic clusters, such as agriculture, tourism, creative industry, and manufacturing,” said Dr Matsheka. 

Furthermore, he said projects had been identified to expedite the digital transition, Small and medium enterprises (SME) development, improve health and education outcomes, develop productive infrastructure as well as enable a conducive environment for businesses. 

Dr Matsheka noted that government had started upgrading of the National Identification System (NIS), a process that would lead to the development of a Biometric National Identity Card (Omang) to support timely delivery and business facilitation. He said the project was at the procurement stage. 

In addition, through the Ministry of Nationality, Immigration and Gender Affairs, he said government would develop a new system that would integrate all ministry systems that deal with gender issues so that they communicate with each other. 

He said the interface would facilitate verification of person identification and help reduce incidences of fraud.

Dr Matsheka said development of the visa on-line application platform hads started and was expected to be completed by May. “In addition, the government will develop the platform for online applications for Botswana passports in the new financial year,” he said.

He said computerisation of borders was ongoing, noting that government was carrying out computerisation of six border posts, being Two Rivers, Bokspits, Makopong, Paarshalt, Zanzibar and Mabolwe, which would be completed this financial year. 

While procurement of equipment for the six border posts had been done, he said the installation of the Passport and Border Control System (PBCS) would be carried out during the current financial year. 

Dr Matsheka said automation of all border posts in Botswana would ensure compliance with the requirements of the Public Key Directory (PKD) with the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and validate the authenticity and integrity of e-passports of other PKD member states. 

Moreover, Dr Matsheka said digitisation would also be carried out in schools, through procurement of information communication technology (ICT) learning devices for learners and teachers from Standard 5 to Form 5 level, connectivity to all schools, developing e-learning material, and training teachers and school managers on basis of ICT skills. ends