Sluggish mining retards economic growth

The rise in power generation at Morupule B helped moderate the effects of the mining sector slump on GDP
The rise in power generation at Morupule B helped moderate the effects of the mining sector slump on GDP

A fall in production in the mining sector slowed down the economic growth rate in the second quarter of the year, figures released this week by Statistics Botswana show.

On a year-on-year basis, SB announced that Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth was at 4.5 percent in the second quarter of 2014 from 7.3 percent in the same quarter of last year. The economy grew by 5.2 percent in the first quarter of this year.

According to SB, the largest contributor to a slower economic growth rate was a fall in mining output, predominantly diamond and copper.

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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