Businesses remain upbeat despite diamond slump

Deloitte-Chief Economist of Deloitte UK Ian Stewart and Barclays Botswana Economist Katso Tshipinare at Deloitte Survey for Botswana. PIC: KAGISO ONKATSWITSE
Deloitte-Chief Economist of Deloitte UK Ian Stewart and Barclays Botswana Economist Katso Tshipinare at Deloitte Survey for Botswana. PIC: KAGISO ONKATSWITSE

A Deloitte survey covering chief financial officers of large Botswana firms, says businesses are more upbeat about economic growth prospects next year and beyond, than their Southern African peers.

The survey, conducted in June, comes as the local private sector braces for a P4.03 billion deficit in the 2015/16 financial year and significantly lower growth, due to a slump in diamond and base metal prices. While the Economic Stimulus Package announced last weekend is expected to positively impact these forecasts, few details on its timing and size have thus far been availed.

Released to the media at a briefing held in Gaborone this week, Deloitte’s CFO survey covers 45 Botswana CFOs who manage a collective annual turnover of US$250 million. The survey was also carried out in other parts of the world, including several African states.

Editor's Comment
Routine child vaccination imperative

The recent Vaccination Day in Motokwe, orchestrated through collaborative efforts between UNICEF, USAID, BRCS, and the Ministry of Health, underscores a commendable stride towards fortifying child health services.The painful reality as reflected by the Ministry of Health's data regarding the decline in routine immunisation coverage since the onset of the pandemic, is a cause for concern.It underscores the urgent need to address the...

Have a Story? Send Us a tip
arrow up