Gov't engages banks to help citizens enter mining, energy
Thursday, November 09, 2023 | 770 Views |
At the helm: Moagi PIC: MBONGENI MGUNI
On Wednesday, the minister told state television that government’s discussions with the banks were on issues such as risk, which have in the past prevented citizen entrepreneurs from accessing finance for capital-expansive sectors such as mining and energy.
Moagi said while financiers have in the past demanded sovereign guarantees from companies that are engaged in any mining or energy project involving government offtake, discussions with the banks are focussed on developing partnerships where risks are shared between all.
Acting Agriculture Minister, Edwin Dikoloti, is right in saying opening an export-ready facility whilst Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) is still spreading would risk getting the whole country blacklisted before a single carcass leaves the door.A ban like that would break the already stressed nation. So, the postponement, painful as it is, is the right thing to do. The local economy is being squeezed from both ends. FMD has already slammed the door...