Standard & Poor�s bullish on Botswana�s economic recovery

Ratings agency, Standard & Poor’s Services sees Botswana’s budget bouncing back to surpluses from next year supported by a rebound in diamond production.

In a country report released this week, the agency said they project Botswana will report larger surpluses in 2016-2018 as revenues are supported by rising mineral revenues from the normalisation of diamond production at about 23 million carats per year over the medium term, and Southern African Customs Union (SACU) revenue receipts remain stable.

“That said, fiscal performance may be vulnerable to a revenue base that relies on volatile receipts from mining, and on SACU customs revenue.

Editor's Comment
Micro-procurement maze demands urgent reform

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...

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