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A familiar uncertainty sets over the economy

Hard times: The economy suffered its deepest contraction since Independence in 2020 when COVID-19 hit PIC: MORERI SEJAKGOMO
Hard times: The economy suffered its deepest contraction since Independence in 2020 when COVID-19 hit PIC: MORERI SEJAKGOMO

Debswana, the country’s main economic actor, is on track to break a six-year record in sales, while government reserves and the budget are also shaking off the COVID-19 slump. However, as has so often happened in recent years, dark clouds are gathering on the horizon, notes Staff Writer, MBONGENI MGUNI

To use American slang, the economy, which includes business activity, employment creation and the collective aspirations of Batswana, cannot seem to “catch a break”.

The boom economy which stretched from the late 1990s to the late 2000s with diamond and copper production reaching historic peaks, government surpluses rising to similar highs, while poverty and unemployment fell, seems a distant, wistful memory of consistency that policymakers and citizens desperately long for today.

Editor's Comment
Don't let FMD outbreak drag on

Acting Agriculture Minister, Edwin Dikoloti, is right in saying opening an export-ready facility whilst Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) is still spreading would risk getting the whole country blacklisted before a single carcass leaves the door.A ban like that would break the already stressed nation. So, the postponement, painful as it is, is the right thing to do. The local economy is being squeezed from both ends. FMD has already slammed the door...

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