Phikwe citrus project eyes European market
Monday, September 04, 2023 | 650 Views |
Coming up: The Phikwe citrus project is one of the country’s biggest private sector investments targeting the export market PIC: FACEBOOK
The P500 million Selebi-Phikwe citrus project is expected to produce its first harvest of lemon, oranges, grapefruit and naartjies in January next year.
On Wednesday, Ministry of Trade and Industry permanent secretary, Malebogo Morakaladi, told Business Week that talks are being advanced with the EU, while steady progress is also being made with other potential markets.
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...