Botswana investment report launched
Isaac Pinielo | Monday November 24, 2014 14:43
The report is aimed at promoting Botswana by highlighting the myriad investment opportunities that exist in the country. It was developed by researchers who spent a considerable amount of time in the country to gain a holistic understand ing of the facts, figures and the institutional structures that make Botswana what it is.
Launching the report, European Times regional director, Mihai Petrut, said there is no better word to describe Botswana’s enormous potential, being; mining, tourism, transport, communication or construction.
He noted that the country has been blessed with wilderness areas such as the Okavango Delta, Chobe National Park, Kalahari Desert, Makgadikgadi Pan, and game reserves.
“It is not a small thing to be the only A-rated country in Africa, nor a small responsibility. In a continent ravished by civil wars and coup d’états, Botswana is a role-model of democracy, of partnership and things well done,” he exclaimed.
The European Times is an independent media agency that specialises in in-depth promotional magazines on different countries and regions worldwide.
Vice President, Mokgweetsi Masisi, who was the guest of honour noted that the report is a quality product because the European Times’ expert researchers spent several months in the country to fully understand the facts and figures and the institutional structures that make Botswana work.
He said the researchers conducted interviews, followed by studies and observations in order to validate what they were told. “I am pleased that the publication is the result of close cooperation between the Government of Botswana and the European Times. It will go a long way in shining a spotlight on Botswana and the opportunities that exist for investment, partnership and cooperation,” he added.
Masisi also indicated that the economic and investment report is focused on stimulating economic growth that reduces poverty, creates decent jobs and mobilises the entrepreneurial potential of people- in particular the youth and women- in a sustainable manner. He said the report also focuses on supporting the development of private sector and Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs), supporting the continental integration process, through accelerated infrastructure development, energy, industrialisation and investment.
European Union (EU) head of delegation to Botswana and SADC, Ambassador Alexander Baum commended the authors and publishers of the European Times Botswana edition on the “professional and thought provoking publication”.
“The publication reflects on a number of fundamental issues for the future economic development of Botswana,” he said.
For his part, United Nations (UN) resident coordinator, Anders Pedersen, noted that Africa is changing fast and that, fuelled by average growth rates of above 5 percent, one by one, African countries are moving from low-income countries to middle-income countries.
“Over the next 5 to 10 years, we expect a majority of the Sub-Saharan countries to have achieved middle-income status, and increased level of human development,” he stated.
He said Botswana has in many ways led this development on the continent, adding that it is, in many ways, a unique country in Africa.