NBC seeks to break policy implementation jinx

KEIKANTSE LESEMELA
Correspondent | Thursday August 23, 2012 00:00

 

The conference, which is held biennially by the Botswana Confederation of Commerce, Industry and Manpower (BOCCIM), will be held in Francistown from the 14th to 17th of October.Speaking at a press briefing held this week, BOCCIM Executive Director, Maria Machailo-Ellis noted that Botswana's protracted implementation is considered a major impediment to the development of the economy. 'One area that is still a concern is our ability to expedite implementation of places that would have agreed upon,' she said.

Machailo-Ellis said the NBC aims to address these problems as it attracts dynamic individuals across Africa.  'Investors, partners and pertinent stakeholders ensure that they partake in this forum and contribute to setting the foundation for a productive, thriving business atmosphere,' she said.A number of resolutions derived from past NBCs have elevated the economy. One significant accomplishment that took place in April this year as a result of the NBC in 2010 was the implementation of a point-based system by the Immigration Department in processing work and residence permits.

The point-based system was introduced to facilitate the inflow of foreign investment into the country as well as the importation of skills.She said another revised policy is the cottage business law which allows small businesses to trade without licensing.'This is a very good advantage to the small enterprises,' she said.She further reassured that although business licensing still has hiccups, BOCCIM and the Ministry of Trade are working on  fixing the loopholes.Thembo Lebang, NBC organising committee chairman said the conference also seeks to deal with challenges of business growth.

'If we look at the previous three budgets before this year, we see that there have been deficits - so this conference comes at a time when the world economy has been facing the impact of the economic meltdown,' he said.This year, the conference is expected to attract 400 participants from the public, private and civil society sectors.President Ian Khama will officiate at the conference while former President of Ghana, John Kufuor will be the keynote speaker.The theme for this year's conference is Interrogating Implementation: Why is it a Challenge?