Speaking at the ongoing Eighth National Business Conference, she said that as the world is increasingly becoming more and more competitive, the government has a role to play in providing a conducive environment for sustainable development by improving access to inputs such as land and the processing of various documents such as residence permits, work permits, licences and factory spaces. She emphasised the need for a reduction of hassles in processing these documents so as to build confidence in the local market.
She said that the government is undeniably an important player in attracting foreign direct investment for economic diversification through formulation and subsequent implementation of proactive legislation rather than a reactive one.
She called for a commitment to investment in education and emerging technologies for development of skills so as to survive and attain a measure of success in the globalised world.
Masire-Mwamba said that for one to work against challenges that mitigate against economic diversification, there is a need to look at the sectors of the economy and their respective contributions to the Gross Domestic Product. It is through this that core competencies can be identified and exploited as well as working at sectors that are unexploited.
The BEDIA boss asserted that there is a need for creation of value added initiatives as well as branding through broad based consultations.
She also advised that cognisance has to be taken of trends and events happening in the region and beyond so as to readjust and adjust operations and take economic advantage of them.
She said that if there is to be implementation, team initiative has to be employed between the inter-dependant sectors of government and the private sector.
In its pursuit of foreign direct investment for economic diversification and sustainable development in the country, BEDIA goes for both value added initiatives and labour intensive projects.
