Shed "GHETTO" image to attract investors -Taylor

CHAKALISA DUBE
Staff Writer | Monday June 3, 2013 00:00

 

The Botswana Telecommunications Corporation (BTC) Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Paul Taylor said this when officiating at the Botswana Confederations of Commerce Industry and Manpower (BOCCIM) northern trade fair last Friday. The event was themed,' Unlocking opportunities to a successful citizen participation in the economy of Botswana'.

'Without wishing in any way to cause any harm calling a city a Ghetto which Francistown is often referred as, cannot be appealing to any investor,' Taylor made the remarks in his address before appealing for a name change.In his remarks, the CEO also said that the country's private sector should use events such as the BOCCIM trade fair to share skills as well as to market their products and develop new opportunities for themselves.

'The private enterprise should also strive for excellence,' he said, adding that private sector participation in the growth of the economy, which entails job creation, and social development is crucial. 'For this reason, in an increasingly borderless world, the private sector cannot settle for good enough.'Private entities have to strive for world class performance and open their minds to both direct and indirect competition of their products and services not just for the nations that are closer to Botswana, but others much further afield,' he said. He said to improve the country's economy; thinking of world-class approach also applies to government and parastatals.

He urged the local private sector to work closely with all the business stakeholders to push for government policies that make it easier for foreign businesses to establish and operate in Botswana.'Trade that is free of bureaucracy and red-tape is key to transforming the economy, leading to greater diversity and growth, building long-term sustainability, creating positive social impact and eradicating poverty,' he emphasised. 

Earlier on, the BOCCIM president Alex Monchusi had said that BOCCIM together with its stakeholders would continue coming up with initiatives that support private sector growth.He also said that they, (BOCCIM), would continue to lobby government to encourage policies that can foster private sector growth. ' I also implore the business community to consider Francistown as an ideal investment destination and as a getaway to the countries in the north,' he said.