In support of the ERTP
Friday, August 13, 2021 | 2820 Views |
![For: Mphoeng](https://cdn4.premiumread.com/?url=https://www.mmegi.bw/mmegi/uploads/images/2021/08/13/15200.jpg&w=800&q=72&f=jpg&t=1)
For: Mphoeng
The ERTP was necessitated by the negative impact envisaged on the global and national economies as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Botswana had just published and finalised its Mid-Term Review of the National Development Plan (NDP) 11. The NDP11 had noted Botswana’s deteriorating fiscal position, the need to diversify the economy and exports, the uncertainties in the diamond industry and Botswana’s poor economic growth, which was failing to deal with the increasing (youth) unemployment. Then COVID-19 hit, meaning all the plans already made would now be met with an even worse fiscal situation, a worse budget, an altered economy and very different priorities.
In that sense, the ERTP was positioned to revisit and rethink the Mid-Term Review whilst maintaining its core priorities of ensuring continued macro-economic strength and stability, investing in economic infrastructure, developing human capital, promoting an export-led economy, improving the efficiency of government spending and financing, developing a vibrant agricultural sector, promoting citizen economic empowerment, investing in the creative industry and growing a safe, sound and inclusive financial services sector.
The BDP as a party known to have ample resources has always held its primaries well in time, but this time around that was not the case. The first leg of the primaries was held last weekend, with the final leg being billed for the coming weekend. This time around, the BDP failed to shine in its primary elections. The elections were chaotic; most if not all polling stations didn't open at the specified time of 6am. Loyal BDP members braved the...