12 Feb 2013

Assistant Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr Keletso Rakhudu says government is committed to sustainable development pathway through global initiatives.

He told Parliament that government was committed to initiatives such as Rio+20 outcomes, Sustainable Africa Summit and Sustainable Energy for All and at the local level through Vision 2016 and Botswana Excellence Strategy.

He said the Ministry of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism was in the process of coming up with a National Strategy for Sustainable Development, which would provide the main framework.

He said through the framework, the ministry would be able to bring economic, industrial, environmental (green) and social objectives together, with those companies that had a competitive edge.

Mr Rakhudu was responding to a question from Gaborone West North MP, Mr Robert Masitara who had asked the minister steps to be taken to assist in the development and growth of a competitive market in Botswana for companies providing green building materials and energy system required to reduce energy use and greenhouse gas emissions. ENDS