20 Nov 2013

Small and micro-scale enterprises are fundamental to employment generation and economic diversification, says the Member of Parliament for Gaborone North.

Debating the State-of-the-Nation Address in Parliament on Tuesday, November 19, Mr Rakhudu, who is also the Assistant Minister of Trade and Industry said the growth of SMMEs in the country portrayed aspects of economic and commercial changes such as the declining importance of centralised mass production and the growth of the service sector which could be accommodated by SMMEs flexibility and specialisation.

He said the government appreciated the importance of the SMME sector in meeting the national development objectives of rapid economic growth, economic independence as well as sustainable development.

He noted that such recognition was a bold step for a nation whose citizens had always depended on formal sector employment and government support in times of natural crisis such as periodic droughts.

Mr Rakhudu highlighted that one of the most prominent national strategies for realising income redistribution and social justice was through the government support for small and micro-scale enterprises.

He applauded the Poverty Eradication Programme saying that the programme is key not only to putting food on the beneficiaries’ table but it is at the same time encouraging those beneficiaries to develop an entrepreneurship mind-set but not operate their business on a hand -to -mouth model.

He said the poverty eradication programme was in line with the Economic Diversification Drive (EDD) which promotes the production and consumption of local products through public procurement. “A lot of poverty eradication beneficiaries are supplying government institutions in different areas something which the EDD promotes.”

Mr Rakhudu further, stated that allocation of farms should be reviewed and not be based on the integrity of the business plan submitted but preference should rather be given to farmers who have proved their commitment to farming and have over the years been in the farming industry.

He called for a cohesive relationship between the Ministry of Agriculture and its counterparts at lands and housing to eliminate all the bottlenecks that hinders the growth of farming specifically during farm allocations.

He also acknowledged the youth for venturing in the agricultural industry and contributing towards food security in the country. He said it was pleasing to note that the young generation has changed their view regarding agriculture and do not only vie for white collar jobs.

He therefore pleaded with the youth to form farming syndicates and cooperatives in an effort to network further and broaden their farming horizons. ENDS