Over the same period, exports of meat and meat products increased by 46 percent, diamonds by 65 percent, copper/nickel matte by 74 percent and textiles by 107 percent," he said. Mlazie was responding to a question by Member of Parliament for Lobatse Nehemiah Modubule who wanted the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning to disclose what gains the economy has enjoyed since the devaluation of the Pula. Mlazie attributed the improvements to both, volume or quantity, and price increases as a result of improved competitiveness.

"Tourism has also been reported to have improved during the same period. There has also been marked increases in production of import competing sectors, such as egg production, bread, bricks, fruits and others," he said. Government has also increased its revenue through the devalued Pula, he said. On the other hand, he said imports of goods increased marginally by 2.6 percent during the same period, compared to the previous year inclusive of the increase in imports of fuel. Mlazie said that for the past five years the Pula appreciated by 12 percent by May 2005, which was making it difficult to trade with other countries, hence the devaluation.

Mlazie assured the house that the country is still going to benefit from the devalued currency but it would take some time to realise some positive effects. He urged the private sector to take advantage of the favourable exchange rate environment to produce goods and services either for export or for local market competing with imports. "This would contribute immensely to enhanced employment opportunities and poverty reduction," he said.

Meanwhile the construction of the new Lobatse Mental Hospital will not be completed by May next year as was planned, due to the liquidation of Kentz Botswana (Pty) Ltd, a company that was the electrical subcontractor. Government is still looking for a company to replace Kentz Botswana, Minister of Health Professor Sheila Tlou told parliament yesterday, in response to another question by Modubule. He asked the Ministry of Health what the status of the newly constructed mental hospital was and whether it was still expected that the project would be completed as planned.