Trade policy holds and the 'economic transformation' question

New broom: Matsheka delivering the budget speech on Monday PIC: KENNEDY RAMOKONE
New broom: Matsheka delivering the budget speech on Monday PIC: KENNEDY RAMOKONE

One of the more repeated sound-bites and catchphrases from Minister Thapelo Matsheka’s budget speech this week was ‘transformation’ and the ‘transformation agenda’ with regards to Botswana’s economy.

The fundamental question from Dr. Matsheka’s maiden delivery is: What will it take to truly transform the economy, and does the budget demonstrate that appetite? If we judge the budget entirely on the resource allocation and reallocation metric, the verdict is wobbly.  

Dr. Matsheka’s speech was true to form in terms of following the template of government constructed budgets. It was also a gloriously painted picture of positive rhetoric dashed with a serious expression of concern for state-owned enterprises and their inefficiencies.

Editor's Comment
The Boko-led administration has to tread carefully

‘When you make peace withyourself, you make peace with the world’- Maha GhosanandaThis may come at a huge cost if not handled properly. What started off on Labour Day in Letlhakane this year, where Boko was in attendance when the militant lawyer-cum-trade unionist, Robert Rabasimane rebutted the President’s address in defence of the trade union has seemingly spiralled out of control. The issue is now creating a cat-and-mouse type of a...

Have a Story? Send Us a tip
arrow up