Francistown pilots economic development plan

Patricia Edwin | Friday August 22, 2014 13:23

Mayor of Francistown, James Kgalajwe told an investment forum at Adansonia Hotel that the city will be one of the pilot sites for what is dubbed Local Economic Development (LED).

“Let me announce to this forum that the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development in partnership with the UNDP have selected Francistown as one of the pilot sites that will start and implement a new agenda,” he said.

He said the LED will assist the city to use its strong investment opportunities.

Kgalajwe said the LED initiative has come at the right time when the city is marketing itself to potential investors. 

He said that Francistown acts as the gateway to a number of countries like Zambia, Zimbabwe, Namibia and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

“For this reason, it is strategically placed as a commercial hub and transport hub where a market of about 200 million people exists,” he said.

The mayor stated that the region accommodates mines with high value minerals such as gold, diamond, copper/nickel and others.

He said that in the long-term, it is envisaged that Francistown will grow into a flourishing economy that is investment centred.

“As a way of consultation and luring investors to the city, the forum is the first major milestone that will make people appreciate the investment climate as well as appreciate the strategies and opportunities that are available in the region,” he added.

He said that the targeted results  of the forum includes socio-economic development that will improve the livelihoods of people in the region and attracting foreign direct investment to the region. The forum is also meant to promote joint partnerships between the business community and those from other regions in Botswana and foreign investors.

“It is also intended to promote Francistown as the area of choice for investors as well as promote access to SADC region and East African markets for both local and international investors,” stated the mayor.

The forum ends yesterday (Thursday).