Mmegi

IMF upbeat on Botswana growth prospects

Better news: The Finance Ministry’s own projections suggest 3.1 percent growth this year
Better news: The Finance Ministry’s own projections suggest 3.1 percent growth this year

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) expects the local economy to grow by 4.7 percent this year, an estimate even higher than government’s own projection of 3.6 percent, BusinessWeek has established.

The World Economic Outlook, published recently as part of the IMF’s Spring Meetings in Washington DC, indicates that the institution is optimistic about the country’s outlook, despite the recent contractionary trend in the economy.

IMF researchers expect that the economy will expand by 4.7 percent this year, the second strongest performance in the region after Zimbabwe’s projected five percent. By comparison, Zambia is expected to grow by 4.3 percent, Eswatini four percent, Namibia 2.4 percent, Lesotho 1.1 percent and South Africa one percent. Mozambique is expected to lag the region with forecast growth of 0.5 percent.

Editor's Comment
Gov't must guard against cadre deployment

As the Botswana National Front (BNF) discusses a policy to place suitably qualified members in strategic positions, the guiding consideration should remain whether an individual is the best person to serve the country. There is nothing wrong with qualified party members applying for public positions. Political affiliation should neither disqualify a capable candidate nor give them an advantage over others. Every Motswana deserves a fair...

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