Taylor calls for greater Francistown support
Pini Bothoko | Monday May 26, 2014 14:45
He said this when officially opening the 20th BOCCIM Northern Trade Fair (BNTF) at Botswana Commerce of Manpower and Industry (BOCCIM) grounds on Friday.
The theme for this year’s Trade Fair is: “Investment, My Opportunity to Play a Role in an Evolving Global Economy, Tapping into Unlimited Opportunities”.Highlighting Francistown’s investment allure, Taylor said the city had a population of close to 100,000, and also boasted a number of dams within a 200-kilometre radius as well as mines operating within its vicinity. He said the city also has ample freehold and state land, which if serviced, can provide facilities for companies to set up and develop Francistown into a more vibrant economic hub.
Taylor said the quest to develop and transform the City of Francistown in particular, was a journey that must be undertaken by all because history would judge everyone harshly if one of the oldest settlements in Botswana, and the country’s second city, succumbed to the economic vagaries it is currently facing. “Time is not on our side, more especially as there is speculation that Tati Nickel Mine may suspend its operations in the near future owing to a drop in metal prices. The closure of the mine could have serious consequences for the city, which is already experiencing a high unemployment rate, “ he said. He said that it is hoped that Tati Mine management will mitigate, devise and implement a turnaround strategy to keep operations running and save jobs, “but that said, we must diversify the local economy to reduce reliance on a single or a handful of employers”.
Taylor said the Fair was launched as a platform to attract local, regional and international small, medium and large scale enterprises with the objective of interacting, networking and building long lasting relationships between the private sector, NGOs, government departments and parastatals. “The importance of these objectives cannot be over-emphasised especially in these trying economic times. Some businesses are still struggling to recover after the world economic meltdown, “ he said. The BTC CEO said it was therefore imperative to encourage all stakeholders to take advantage of the maximum opportunities that arise as reflected in the theme of this year’s trade fair. Meanwhile BOCCIM Vice President, Palalani Moitlhobogi, applauded the BTC for partnering with the employer organisation for the past three years. He also thanked the City of Francistown for being “the best host over the years,” and promised BOCCIM’s support to the city.
Moitlhobogi called on all stakeholders to support and promote Francistown’s Vision 2022, which is geared towards attracting investors to the city in order to boost its economy.