05 Nov 2013

The President, Lt Gen. Seretse Khama Ian Khama says since its inception, the Economic Diversification Drive (EDD) has promoted the production and consumption of local products through public procurement.

He said goods and services worth P3.42 billion were recorded in 2012/13, out of which P1.84 billion were from local manufacturers and suppliers.

In the State-of-the-Nation Address on November 4, President Khama said a total of 789 enterprises had so far been registered under the EDD programme out of which 635 or 80 per cent, were classified as small, 99 (13 per cent) medium and 55 (7 per cent) are large scale.

President Khama said the second component of the EDD strategy to further grow the economy by developing new enterprises was progressing. He said projects included a P225 million leather production facility in Lobatse, where land had been allocated for a “Leather Park” adding a bankable feasibility study is being undertaken.

The President said government was collaborating with external partners such as the World Bank, Anglo American and European Union to enhance competitiveness.

Working with the World Bank, he said 13 activities had been identified for implementation next year covering the business environment, trade and industrial policies, infrastructure development, access to finance as well as skills development and innovation.

With support from Anglo American, government will further provide support on advisory services and mentoring to local SMEs through the Enterprise Development Programme. President Khama said the European Union was helping to enhance the productivity capacity of about 100 local enterprises with the Private Sector Development Porgramme, including women under the Women Entrepreneurship Programme. ENDS