While there is general consensus that Botswana’s public service is large as BOCCIM argues, it is said down-sizing will create social costs that government might be ill-prepared to handle. Proponents of this view argue that downsizing of the public service may have far reaching social costs given that government is the largest employer. That would mean that government would make a large number of Batswana jobless.
The BOCCIM report has been criticised for referring to the International Financial Services Centre in Botswana as an ambitious project. This is because BOCCIM has been party to its establishment. BOCCIM is criticised for advocating for the attraction of foreigners into the banking sector to tap their skills. Critics say Botswana already has qualified and skilled personnel in the banking sector. Of late, commercial banks have attracted local personnel with university degrees in accounting, auditing, corporate banking and law.
“It is tragic that 30 years since independence, BOCCIM says we need foreigners in the banking sector. What is it that locals have done to make it difficult for the banking sector to be successful,” asked a critic. He took issue with the report’s suggestion that more banks are needed to bring competition in the sector. He argued that the banking market is very small and the introduction of many banks would lead to over-trading.
Critics argue the BOCCIM report’s proposal to improve local health facilities to serve the region is misguided because what needs urgent attention is health care for all Batswana. They point out that the near closure of the Gaborone Private Hospital is an indication that there is less demand for private health care. Some have criticised the BOCCIM study saying it lacks serious research in agriculture. Critics says agriculture could be the only potential solution to the creation of sustainable employment.
They cite irrigation farming as an area that might be exploited to create jobs in rural areas and curb rural-urban migration. They say training for key people in the sector may not necessarily be too expensive. In addition, the country needs to produce enough food to feed its people. Critics say the BOCCIM report suggestion that Botswana needs to improve its rail, road and air transport infrastructure does not hold water given that the country already has such facilities. For example, they say Botswana Railways and the existing airports are under-utilised and yet BOCCIM wants government to build more of such facilities. Even the Trans-Kalahari road that connects Botswana, Namibia and South Africa is another white elephant because of lack of demands for the service.
Another point of agreement with BOCCIM is the recommendation that Botswana should disengage from the South African Customs Union (SACU) so that the country can create alternative sources of industry from South Africa. Critics argue that currently, Botswana and countries such as Namibia are mere provinces of South African consumer patterns.
They add that Botswana’s problems in attracting investment lies in the small size of the population. The country failed to attract investment even when it was the only democracy in Africa. BOCCIM shares this view too.
