23 Feb 2014

Parliament has deferred a motion tabled by MP for South East South Mr Odirile Motlhale. The motion requested government to undertake a reform of the trading system to encourage extended trading hours as a means of stimulating commercial activity, employment generation as well as the positioning of Botswana as a prime investment destination. 

Debating the motion on Friday, February 21, Mr Motlhale said the country should transform its trading system looking at the interventions that have been made to attract foreign direct investment. He said Botswana has been positioned to be a transport hub in the SADC region because of its strategic location.

The South East South legislator said the country has also established International Financial Services Centre so that Botswana can be established as a prime finance destination, adding that the country has also positioned itself to be a prime tourism destination. However, he said little has been done to influence potential investors to come to this country in terms of leisure because the leisure industry seems to be constrained.

He said trading system needs to be transformed such that it encourages investment. MP for Gaborone North and also Assistant Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr Keletso Rakhudu said Mr Motlhale is proposing something that is already in place because trading hours are completely deregulated except for the liquor industry.

MP for Boteti North, Mr Slumber Tsogwane supported the motion, saying it will not make a difference because the motion seeks to request something that is already in place. Businesses are free to trade as many hours as they can, he said.

He said business operators need to be made aware of this so that they operate 24hrs if they so wish. MP for Shoshong, Mr Phillip Makgalemele also shared the same sentiments saying that businesses such as Bimbos were already operating 24hrs. He requested for the deferment of the motion so that the committee that deals with trade could look at it. ENDS