Mmegi

Gov’t firms up Infant Industry Protection scheme

Building businesses: Ntsima has secured regional approval to ringfence certain nascent sectors PIC: PHATSIMO KAPENG
Building businesses: Ntsima has secured regional approval to ringfence certain nascent sectors PIC: PHATSIMO KAPENG

Government has identified shade nets, surgical masks, and thermal paper rolls as industries with sufficient potential for growth and industrial development to qualify for support under the country’s Infant Industry Protection dispensation.

The development was announced recently during a stakeholder engagement on the implementation of the Infant Industry Protection measure in support of industrial development in the country.

Speaking during the engagement, the Minister of Trade and Entrepreneurship, Tiroeaone Ntsima, said effective February 2026, government introduced additional customs duties on the three products. A 10% additional duty was imposed on shade nets, increasing the applied rate to 30%, whilst thermal paper rolls attracted a 20% additional duty, bringing the applied rate from zero to 20%. Surgical masks were also subjected to an additional 10% duty, increasing the applied rate to 30%.

Editor's Comment
Exercise extra caution!

Unfortunately, petty thieves tend to be more vicious around this time as they also prepare for the festive season. Culturally, many Batswana go home for the holiday, and petty thieves are amongst those who go home. Burglaries, car break-ins, and attacks on unsuspecting pedestrians seem to be on the rise!That is not all, as scammers continue to take money from pensioners as well as other Batswana who may fall prey to their unscrupulous tactics....

Have a Story? Send Us a tip
arrow up