Business facilitation to be eased
Staff Writer | Friday February 21, 2014 16:42
Unlike the previous “one roof” model by BEDIA, the current model does not house representatives of different authorising entities under one roof. Instead investors submit documents to the “one window” business facilitation service centre, which then forwards them to relevant authorising government departments.
The Minister of Trade and Industry, Dorcas Makgatho-Malesu stated that the centre would ensure that investors are assisted in an efficient and timely manner.
“Furthermore, the centre is aimed at ensuring that investors do not move from one office to the other in search of service required to set-up a business,” she said.
Malesu explained that services provided in the business facilitation services centre would be delivered to deserving and qualifying investors who meet the BITC eligibility criteria, while other business people would follow the normal and usual route. “The launch of business facilitation service centre, is yet another initiative aimed at addressing the bottlenecks in doing business,” she said.
Malesu stated that the business facilitation services centre comes at a critical time when Botswana is faced with an intense competition for investment. “It is my expectation that the centre will bring improvements in the time it takes to start a business in Botswana,” she said.
Malesu pointed out that the launch of the centre is a reaffirmation of a closer working relationship and collaboration between the private sector and government. “The success and efficacy of the business facilitation services centre is dependent on the efficiency and effectiveness of our stakeholders. Therefore I implore all stakeholders to continually improve their services and turnaround times for assisting investors,” Malesu said.
The centre facilitates applications for investors; among others, the company and business registration, trade and business licence applications, entry visas, work and residence permits, work permits exemptions, connection of utilities, income tax and VAT registration and access to industrial and commercial land allocation.
BITC Acting CEO Letsebe Sejoe said BITC over the years, engaged various key stakeholders particularly those that have a complimentary mandate in attracting investment to Botswana.
“Through this cordial relationship, BITC signed service legal Agreements with various government departments,” he said, adding that the agreement helps in expediting processing of foreign and local investors requests in a timely and efficient manner.
He stated that the launch of the facility is to augment Botswana’s efforts to attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), and boost the economy to create sustainable employment. “BITC through the business facilitation service centre facilitates various investment incentives such as tax and non-tax incentives to investors,” he said.