Govt shuns private sector � Mosienyane
Bame Piet | Friday April 21, 2017 17:36
He said that if Government treated the private sector as partners in development and in economic growth, the country would have made significant progress even going as far as having graduated from Middle Income status.
“The Government should be a bow, and the private sector an arrow. That is, driving the private sector and empowering it to ensure that it is strong, it collaborates and sells the country abroad,” he said.
He said that in the current situation, the Government seems to be trying to do everything alone, and the country’s diplomats abroad do not know the needs of the private sector. This is inspite of the fact that their mandate is to sell the country to the international community.
He stated that Botswana embassies are not friendly to the private sector to a point that they do not have offices where private sector visitors can hold meetings with other companies in host countries. On the other hand, he said, many embassies in Botswana have such a facility for their compatriots who come into the country to look for opportunities.
In addition, he said, the Government of Botswana is friendly, and facilitates aspiring foreign investors into the country.
He said that the Government should do more to empower the private sector as it can play a big role in economic growth and job creation. He said policy formulation should be done with the input of the private sector, something which would help local companies to grow beyond Botswana borders and be competitive globally.
He expressed concern at the low level of engagement of private sector by Botswana Investment and Trading Company and Botswana Tourism Organisation, saying the two should do a lot to work with the sector.
/He stated that bilateral relations can also be achieved if Botswana companies can trade with foreign companies equitably, but that can only be achieved if there is Government support of the private sector.
One of his recommendations was that Botswana should work on introducing a temporary Business Passport, similar to a Diplomatic Passport, to facilitate easy movement for Batswana businesspeople around the world.
He said that other countries in the region have the document and it enables them to travel in presidential delegations and are not subjected to airport routine searches, which consume a lot of time, are humiliating and at times embarrassing.
He also suggested that Botswana embassies should assist Batswana business travellers, particularly with office space for temporary use to holding meetings with potential investors or partners.
He added that there is need for a forum, which will bring together the Government and private sector to improve cooperation.
The gathering, on the sidelines of the Annual Diplomats Conference, was to discuss Botswana’s Foreign Policy and how it can assist the country, private sector and civil society to link with the international community.
The diplomats said they were working hard to represent every Motswana including the private sector, and the interests of the country.
They said they were fully aware of the country’s aspirations as outlined in National Development Plan 11, Vision 2036, as well as economic treaties the country has signed with its bilateral and multilateral partners.