BITC facilitates investments from Mozambique
Gaone Marumoloa | Thursday April 27, 2017 15:16
At a Botswana-Mozambique Business Forum held in Gaborone this week, the two countries updated each other on different projects that have been on the table since their previous meeting in Mozambique last October.
Speaking at the event, BITC acting chief executive officer, Meshak Tshekedi said government is working to improve the operating environment for the private sector, where “we have seen private companies being engaged to construct power plants”.
Permanent secretary in the Ministry of Transport and Communications, Isaac Moepeng said with the proposed construction of a railway line between Botswana and Mozambique, there will be opportunities for the transport and logistics sector.
“The proposed construction of the railway line to port in Techobanine is part of government efforts to create a conducive environment for businesses in the private sectors,” Moepeng said.
He said the memorandum of understanding amongst Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Botswana, three countries on the railway line, is still in force and up to date.
The railway will link Botswana’s coal producing central region to Techobanine via Zimbabwe. He further said apart from the proposed railway line to Mozambique, Botswana was also looking at a similar line to Namibia.
Mozambican President Filipe Jacinto Nyusi said they have been discovering mineral resources in their countries and they wanted to learn from the Botswana mining experience, while they were also interested in industries such as agriculture, tourism, coal and gas for energy generation.
He added that agriculture is an option for diversification from minerals, with opportunities for small farmers to be supported by things such as livestock.