17 Nov 2021

Botswana adheres to an open market economy that promotes participation of potential business people within and outside the country.

President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi said this when launching the 15th Legatum Prosperity Index in London, United Kingdom where he also invited investors to consider Botswana as investment destination of choice.

Extolling the attributes of Botswana’s business climate, he said the country continually  strengthened its oversight institutions and maintained an apolitical public service.

Government, he said, was determined to fight corruption in all its manifestations without fear or favour.

To that end the Corruption and Economic Crime Act would be reviewed to align it with other statutes, Dr Masisi said adding that the move would help to strengthen accountability measures.

Describing  Botswana as a success story,  the President said good governance, constitutional democracy and commitment to the rule of law had played a major role in the country’s status.

He also attributed Botswana’s success to prudent management of resources practised by the country’s founding fathers since independence.

President Masisi told his audience that Botswana aspired for high income status by 2036 that would be realised through a Reset Agenda aimed at transforming the country.

That would not be possible without the support of development partners, private sector and civil society, he said.

In her opening remarks, Legatum Institute chief executive officer, Baroness Philippa Stroud said the institution invited Botswana because of its political stability, democratic principles and rule of law among others.

She described the institution’s  index as a framework for assessing countries on the promotion of the flourishing of citizens which reflected their economic and social wellbeing.

It  offered a unique insight into how prosperity was changing across the world, Ms Stroud said.

Legatum Institute is a well-known thinktank whose prosperity index is used by many governments to set their agendas for growth and development. Ends