Gov�t is not shunning the private sector � Mosienyane
Correspondent | Thursday April 27, 2017 15:09
The author reports that I told diplomats at a UB panel discussion on Wednesday that “government’s treatment of the private sector is equivalent to shunning, which has stalled economic development and growth...”
In the same article, the author claims that I stated that “Botswana Embassies are not friendly to the private sector...” and that “Government seems to be trying to do everything alone, and the country’s diplomats abroad do not know the needs of the private sector”
Your reporter claims that I expressed concern about low levels of engagement of the private sector by BITC and BTO. I never said that, as the forum was on Foreign Policy. As is evident from my presentation, I called for the establishment of institutional arrangements for Embassies to support private sector players beyond just dealing with these parastatals.
Throughout the story an impression is created that I said Government is not supporting the private sector, which is far from the truth as there are numerous platforms where the private sector (represented by Business Botswana) interacts with Government at different levels. As the president of the latter I am fully aware of deliberate efforts by Government to
support and grow the private sector, and therefore can never say “Govt shuns private sector” as attributed to me by your newspaper.
It boggles the mind that I would accuse Government of shunning private sector and in the same breath say “Government of Botswana is friendly and facilitates aspiring foreign investors into the country”, as reported in your story.
Your story totally misrepresented what I said, and consequently caused a lot of distress to the parties, with the effect of straining the cordial relationship that currently exists between the Government and Business Botswana – who represent the private sector.
Lekwalo Leta Mosienyane
Business Botswana
President