Huge import bill shows weakness of domestic industry � Seretse
Pauline Dikuelo | Friday April 24, 2015 15:54
Addressing participants at an SMME Pitso organised by the Local Enterprise Authority (LEA) yesterday, Seretse noted that the significant growth of the import bill, which currently stands at P68 billion, is a clear indication that Batswana are not self reliant as a country.
“Some of the commodities that are ‘quick wins’ suitable for our environment can be produced locally. Raw materials are available, there is reasonable cost of production and demand locally,” he said.
Seretse assured entrepreneurs that government through his ministry and other capacity building institutions, are open and ready to support SMME’s in this regard.
“As local entrepreneurs, you must also take advantage of existing programmes such as the Economic Diversification Drive (EDD), LEA capacity building initiatives and cluster and partnership initiatives like cooperatives aimed at promoting business prosperity, enhancing your product quality and competitiveness,” he said.
Seretse noted that government has directed all central government departments, local authorities and parastatals, to procure all their goods and services from locally based manufactures, service providers and agricultural producers. He said government took this decision to try and curb unemployment rate, build sustainable economy and reduce the import bill.
He pointed out that government is aware of the challenges that SMME’s encounter as they operate their businesses. These hurdles include limited access to land, difficulties with accessing credit, exorbitant electricity connection fees, market inaccessibility and others.
Seretse, however, requested entrepreneurs to exercise patience and assured them that government is working on finding solutions, as some areas of concerns need thorough consultation and in-depth assessment.
“Government is currently developing the National Entrepreneurship Policy and its implementation strategy. This policy is intended to guide us on how we can holistically promote the development of entrepreneurs and SMMEs,” he said.
This, he noted, would include establishing business-to-business collaborations, facilitating new business start-ups and expanding existing business as well as supporting the competitiveness and sustainability of the SMME sector.
Seretse also urged stakeholders, government and the private sector to work together towards a common goal of empowering Botswana SMME’s and enhancing competitiveness and sustainability.
This year’s Pitso was held under the theme ‘Unlocking SMME’s potential, a key to competitiveness and economic diversification’. The one-day event brought together about 300 stakeholders in the SMME development sphere to deliberate on pertinent issues that concern them.