14 Jan 2014

Batawana have been urged to take advantage of the Special Economic Zones (SEZs) policy, which is aimed at ensuring that the natural resources in the area benefit the communities in the North West District.

Addressing a kgotla meeting on December 10, Maun West MP, Mr Tawana Moremi said their district was unique and had economic potential in tourism, minerals and cattle industry.

He said the main objective of the SEZs policy was to diversify the economic and export base of Botswana into sectors that would continue to grow long after diamonds had run out.

The policy, he said, provided for the development of public sector, private sector and public-private sector partnership SEZs across the country and sectors, as the market would dictate.

Mr Moremi explained that SEZ were created as geographically distinct economic areas with their own administrative authorities, which provides investor-friendly business environment that would make Botswana the most preferred location for both domestic and foreign investment.

Furthermore, he noted that SEZs policy was also cast within the context of domestic policies, strategies and legislation that had a significant impact on the policy and vice versa.

That, he said allows for the SEZs to be used as “economic laboratories” and “demonstration areas” for the development and growth of world class enterprises in Botswana. Mr Moremi also noted that their district could not be treated like other districts because of its unique economy, adding that it had the natural resources that could benefit the communities in the district.

He said the area had game reserves and high population of cattle, noting that if the communities could speak with one voice, they could create industries which would create jobs for the locals. The MP observed that the policy had produced positive results in other countries like China, noting that the country had come up with ways of special economic zones

He also informed residents about the wildlife and land policies, which he said were also favourable for their region.  Mr Moremi said their district was known for poverty, thus he urged the residents to stand united and make use of the policies in place. He said if they work as a team, they could change the image of the district and take it to a higher level.

The MP said if they did not wake up, people from outside would take their land, which was rich in wealth. “Let us be united and use the policies effectively to improve our living standards,” he added.

For their part, residents welcomed the idea, noting that it could diversify the local economy and they called for proper consultation with relevant authorities so that they could solicit their ideas.

One of the residents, Mr Seoka Kenosi said history should not repeat itself as in 1962, the Founa Conservation Society, which operated Moremi Game Reserve initiated by Batawana collapsed because there was no proper management. He said the idea was brought forward by the then Batawana regent, Kgosi Moremi and the reserve was named after him.

The area was managed and operated by the Fauna Conservation Society of Ngamiland and the idea was to conserve the fauna and flora that is found in the area. ENDS