Francistown growth needs to be inclusive-PHK
Patricia Edwin | Wednesday August 20, 2014 10:04
The investment forum will be held from August 19 to 21 at Adanosia Hotel under the theme, ‘City of Francistown: An Investment Centre of Choice by 2022-A step Forward to your investment.’Kedikilwe pointed out that he did not see prospective contributions by other relevant stakeholders, urging their participation, if the country is to see progressive economic growth.
“I miss a window of forum of opportunity for input by associations of local farmers, SPEDU, local businesses, employer associations, unions and the informal sector,” he said. He noted that although the three-day programme may be too short to involve all potential stakeholders, he sensed a commitment to make it inclusive in the future in order to enhance the forum’s success.
Kedikilwe said Francistown is strategically positioned as a gateway to many unearthed economic opportunities in northern Botswana and beyond. “The three dams recently completed have a total capacity of P540 million cubic metres of water at a total cost of P5 billion. Francistown is at the intersection of the main routes to Zimbabwe and Zambia and can therefore play a pivotal role in driving investor growth and providing linkages with clientele in the SADC region,” he said.
Kedikilwe also said government has put initiatives in to propel the country towards economic success and such initiatives include the special economic zones under the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI), which among others is aimed at minimising red tape, and offer investors a comprehensive and enabling environment to do business.
“Francistown has been designated a Mining Supplies and Logistic Special Economic Forum Zone with Tuli Block as horticultural special economic zone. The rural development council supports and promotes sustainable utilisation and protection of natural resources and indigenous knowledge systems if its key focus areas,” he said.
He further noted that the government will cooperate with Francistown leadership and the business communities to enhance the smooth take off of this project to and nurture it’s sustainability. He said the Ministry of Trade and Industry is implementing the economic diversification, which emphasises export led growth, while simultaneously developing productive capacity of new and existing enterprises for domestic and external markets.
“This is expected to impact on industrialisation and diversification of the economy thus contributes to employment creation, wealth creation and poverty eradication,” he said. Kedikilwe noted that they owe it to Batswana and the international community, particularly the business industry, to reiterate that by setting up entities in Francistown and investing in growing those that exist here, is a critical next step for all who aspire to experience long-term business growth.
“Francistown is a key player in Botswana’s agricultural industry, being the heart of a region that one of the country’s largest contributor to pastoral agriculture, which contributes significantly to Botswana’s GDP,” he said, adding that the strategic geographical location means it can unlock access to about 200 million potential customers annually.