03 Jul 2022

 Agriculture is one of the investment areas with the potential to develop and diversify the country’s economy.

This, therefore, calls for concerted efforts to engage with owners of undeveloped fields to see how best they can be utilised, Vice President and Special Economic Zones Authority (SEZA) Champion Mr Slumber Tsogwane has said.

During a courtesy call on by SEZA management in Gaborone on recently, Vice President Tsogwane encouraged the officials to engage with the relevant authorities such as the Rural Development Council (RDC) to fully engage people in the district who have land to support SEZA.

 “Land is available and in the hands of individual farmers across the country. All you have to do is engage other players in the development agenda to speed up your efforts. Ploughing fields are not utilised. Convince the owners by showing them the end benefit,” he said.

He said since SEZA was not the only body tasked with looking for investors, they should consider collaborating with other stakeholders to work as a team towards what we must be achieved.

He said all the relevant ministries must be pushed and be ready to work with SEZA and noted that investors were fragile and therefore one wrong could drive them away.

He acknowledged concerns from the SEZA management and assured them of support. “We rely on you to achieve our aspirations through vision 2036. Continue exploring opportunities and we will be by your side all the way,” he said.

Furthermore, Mr Tsogwane concurred with SEZA chief executive officer, Mr Lonely Mogara that some legislation must be amended to support the mandate of SEZA.

He said SEZA’s mandate was more focused on addressing the aspirations of the reset agenda, a process that required a mindset that is ready to adjust to the changing business and economic environment.

“We must be ready as a people to transform and align to the changes. Investors must see and believe that we are ready,” he said.

 He, however, assured them that he would engage with the Minister of Trade and Industry on the performance of the entity and how best he could assist them as their champion.

When briefing the Vice President, Mr Lonely Mogara appealed for guidance and direction through the stewardship of their Champion to address conflicting issues that hampered them from achieving their mandate.

He said there was a need to manage conflicting statutes and policies and eventually bring together all relevant authorities that were supportive of the authority’s mandate.

“Through your guidance, we believe SEZA will be in a position to unlock potential opportunities. Nonetheless, we have been making progress but we believe that your involvement will assist in managing conflicting policies and laws,” said Mr Mogara.

He said by their nature special economic zones were instrumental to the development and diversification of the country’s economy. Mr Mogara said SEZA must, therefore, be at the forefront of easing the way of doing business for investors, with less bureaucratic processes.

Mr Mogara said an environment where all government departments and other structures mandated to attract investors working together with the support of government and enabling legislature was mandatory in pushing SEZA’s agenda.

He said for SEZA to deliver on its strategic mandate, its champion must play a leading role. “Your guidance will fast track our mandate,” said Mr Mogara. ENDS