President Mokgweetsi Masisi has said there is an anticipated investment flow into the country following his recent international engagements with investors abroad.
Masisi has just returned from a three week long official trip that took him to Switzerland, France and Sweden where he articulated the development agenda of Botswana at the World Health Assembly in Geneva.
He also used the Davos platform to share views and experiences on the economic and social transformation the country is pursuing. Masisi also participated at the Expo 2020 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates where he held a number of strategic engagements including meeting with business leaders and prospective investors.
Speaking during a business seminar in Maun this week, Masisi said one of his desires to have met with business community was to prepare them for the anticipated investment.
He revealed that some of the immediate benefits from the Expo 2020 Dubai include approximately P1.1 billion generated for the country at the diamond auction sale by Okavango Diamond Company as well as the envisaged investment of P50 million by Sheetal Group expected to generate 150 jobs.
The P20 million expansion of the existing Diarough plant this year, which is expected to create additional jobs and the P37 million investment by Parishi Diamond, which is an existing De Beers Sight Holder.
“I am further reliably informed that there have been positive enquiries relating to a multi-million Pula investment in the diary sector from UAE. Those of you who are interested in dairy farming, start building the herd count of your dairy cows,” Masisi said.
Masisi said there is therefore need to improve the ease of doing business in preparation for the investors who he said from time to time are eager to scout for investment opportunities. He noted that government has since undertaken several reforms to improve the ease of doing business environment.
He highlighted that the reforms include e-filling and payment of tax, the online request and verification of Tax Clearance certificate and the Botswana One Stop Service Centre (BOSSC) under the Botswana Investment and Trade Centre which facilitates investors from across the globe, as well as the ongoing process to ensure digitising the issuance of licenses, certificates and permits.
“We should therefore see ourselves having full potential to host these multi-million companies in this area. This can only start with the change of mindset which is one of the priorities under our Reset Agenda,” Masisi said.
