Botswana urged to benchmark on Japan�s economic model

Pauline Dikuelo | Thursday March 26, 2015 17:31

This was said by Afrijapan-Africasia international cooperation Asia-Pacific Region director, Liu Yang at a development partnership conference held in Gaborone this week under the theme ‘change the mentality to transform the economy of Botswana’.

“Sometimes it is not about the facilities or services that can transform the economy. It is about creating a friendly environment for the investors to be able to come and invest here thus creating jobs,” said Yang.

As part of their cooperation, the Afrijapan-Africasia International Cooperation intends to work with Botswana to support national strategy for poverty eradication as well as promote the development of enterprises and their access to Asian partnerships

According to Yang, Botswana can achieve its goals of poverty eradication and youth unemployment thus creates a healthy and sustainable economic environment in less time compared to Japan.

“Even though the development of Botswana’s economy is a little bit slower, it can be a lesson. Through hard work and determination Botswana can achieve in 10 years what Japan achieved over 30 years,” he said

According to Yang, Botswana should learn from Japan, and implement comprehensive and systematical solutions to resolve its issues.

Assistant Minister for Presidential Affairs and Public Administration, Phillip Makgalemele emphasised that Botswana has embarked on flagship programmes designed to eradicate abject poverty and realise economic potential through economic diversification drive and job creation.

“We have identified key areas for sustainable development which include provision of basic services and infrastructure development, agriculture and food security, support and protection of indigenous knowledge, rural entrepreneurial development as well as harmonisation of social welfare programmes.” he said.

The national coordinator for poverty eradication programme, Olebile Gaborone noted that under the poverty eradication programme, there are 45 business models most of which if successfully implemented will not only benefit the poor, but will also transform Botswana economy through the development of small to medium enterprises.

“As a growing economy, we are committed to promoting, fostering and sustaining national regional and global networks and partnerships especially in the areas of value chain development, capacity building, market access as well as monitoring and evaluation,” he added.

The Department of Public Service Management is expected to sign a memorandum of agreement with the Afrijapan-Afriasia, depending on the outcome of the discussions.