01 Feb 2021

In an effort to facilitate an export-led economy, Finance and Economic Development Minister, Dr Thapelo Matsheka says Botswana continues to negotiate and secure global markets for locally-produced goods and services.

Delivering the budget speech February 1, Dr Matsheka said, “in this respect, the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between the United Kingdom-Southern African Customs Union and Mozambique (UK-SACUM EPA) as well as the EU-Southern Africa Development Community EPA have been completed and implementation is expected to start in the coming financial year.”

Dr Matsheka said the experience of last year with restrictions on cross-border trade had demonstrated the need for improved domestic food production to achieve higher degree of self-sufficiency in selected products.

To this end, Dr Matsheka said the design and construction of 12 steel grain silos with an overall storage capacity of 60 000 metric tonnes was underway at the Pandamatenga Special Economic Zones and would be completed by August. 

Once completed, Dr Matsheka said the grain silos would enhance the capacity of grain management and storage to meet the domestic demand.

He said Pandamatenga was one of the Special Economic Zones projects that were expected to attract both domestic and foreign investment as well as diversify the economic and export base beyond mining, thereby creating job opportunities.

In Gaborone, Dr Matsheka said the development of the Sir Seretse Khama International Airport Special Economic Zone had commenced, with the construction of the 1.8-kilometre three-lane boulevard one road, which is expected to be completed in May. ENDS