Banks credit growth dips to decade low

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Despite interest rates reaching a three-decade low in 2015, banks credit growth slumped to a 10-year low as tight liquidity coupled with poor credit worthiness of customers slowed advances.

According to data availed by the Bank of Botswana (BoB), annual credit growth fell by nearly half from 14 percent in October 2014 to eight percent in October 2015, with decline almost entirely concentrated on corporate borrowing.

Credit growth rate was last below eight percent ten years ago when it reached 7.2 percent in December 2005.

Editor's Comment
Micro-procurement maze demands urgent reform

Whilst celebrating milestones in inclusivity, with notably P5 billion awarded to vulnerable groups, the report sounds a 'siren' on a dangerous and growing trend: the ballooning use of micro-procurement. That this method, designed for small-scale, efficient purchases, now accounts for a staggering 25% (P8 billion) of total procurement value is not a sign of agility, but a 'red flag'. The PPRA’s warning is unequivocal and must be...

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