EDD creates 6,000 new jobs � govt
Pauline Dikuelo | Friday February 12, 2016 12:51
Briefing Parliament this week, the Assistant Minister of Trade and Industry, Sadique Kebonang said companies registered under the EDD programme have shown growth over time.
“To date they have employed about 41,672 people from the 1,511 enterprises that have been created,” he said.
This was an increase of more than 6,000 new jobs compared to the 34,861 employees from the 1,150 enterprises that were registered in the 2014/2015 financial year.
The 1,511 enterprises include 25 textile companies that were registered in the past 12 months.
This fluctuating trend of job creation has been noticeable over the years under the EDD.
On the year of its inception six years ago, it created only seven jobs, 912 the following year, 908 in 2012, followed by 1,076 in 2013, 1,332 in 2014, 673 in 2015 and 210 this year.
When delivering the 2016/2017 budget speech, the Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Kenneth Matambo said the EDD initiative continues to be government’s priority in promoting domestic production and consumption of local products.
“They boost growth and create the much needed employment opportunities in the country.
These initiatives are consistent with other government policies such as the Citizen Economic Empowerment and initiatives to develop entrepreneurial culture among Batswana especially the young emerging business entrepreneurs,” said Matambo.
In December 2014, government issued a directive to reinforce the EDD by instructing all government and parastatal organisations to prioritise procurement of locally produced goods and services, in addition to awarding price preference to local enterprises.
According to Matambo, this will in turn develop local capacity to diversify the economy.
He added that the EDD initiative and the establishment of the Special Economic Zones (SEZs) are considered important in promoting both domestic and foreign direct investments.
SEZs are being established to create a conducive environment for the private sector development in the country.
The SEZ programme, which was promulgated in August last year, has three phases of implementation.
Phase one will include the three sites namely; mixed use near SSKIA, comprising diamond activities, auto components manufacturing, agro processing, pharmaceuticals and general manufacturing.
The phase will also include Gaborone Fairgrounds, financial services, as well as cater for the Pandamatenga Integrated Farming, agro business and food processing.
The second phase of SEZs is planned for Francistown, Selebi-Phikwe and Lobatse areas while the third phase will focus on Tuli Block and Palapye areas.
“Government is in the process of establishing a SEZ Authority which will oversee the implementation of the programme,” said Matambo.