09 Aug 2023

Requirements for a business registration certificate are outlined in Form 2 of the trade regulations 2020 and should not differ from one council to another, says Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr Mmusi Kgafela.

Mr Kgafela said He said the standard set was as per requirements stipulated for a business registration certificate application on Form 2 of the trade regulations that included proof of company incorporation, the latest annual returns, proof of availability of business premises, certified copy of passport for non-citizens and an identity card for citizens

He said it also included a non-refundable registration application fee of P200 and a payment of an appropriate business registration certificate fee upon approval which was P10 000 for an agent.

He therefore said he was not aware that there was no standard requirement to acquire an agent licence in Botswana as alluded.

“Accordingly and in line with the trade regulations 2020, an agent is issued a business registration certificate,” he said, adding that it was issued together with 34 other trade activities “and is not termed a licence.”

Member of Parliament for Takatokwane, Mr Friction Leuwe had asked the minister if he was aware that there was no standard requirement to acquire agent licence in Botswana.

MP Leuwe had wanted to know reasons the requirements differed from one council to the other across the country and when those requirements would be harmonised.

He wanted to know the standard set by the ministry for the acquisition of the licence and the amount one had to pay to acquire it. ends