Punitive tax could cause job losses, Coca-Cola says

The country’s largest producer of sugary drinks, Coca-Cola Beverages Botswana (CCBB), says the upcoming sugar tax is punitive and places a ‘disproportionate and discriminatory’ burden on one sector in the process of making a corrective health action.

This week, the beverage giant told BusinessWeek the sugar tax, which takes effect on April 1, could lead to job losses locally and curtail investment and employment creation.

Finance and Economic Development minister, Thapelo Matsheka announced the new tax in his recent budget speech saying it would contribute to local tax revenue while helping fight obesity in the country. From April 1, a levy of two thebe per gram of sugar above the content of four grammes of sugar per 100 millilitres will be applied on sweetened beverages.

Editor's Comment
Congratulations Anicia Gaothuse!

The contest had 10 beautiful young girls as finalists and unfortunately only one could wear the crown.The judges picked Anicia Gaothuse. To all those who feel their contestant should have won ahead of Anicia for whatever reason, hardly; the judges found Anicia to be the best among the best, so desist from disrespecting our newly crowned queen on social media or anywhere else, for that matter! Each of the 10 beautiful young women had supporters...

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