15 Sep 2019

The Assistant Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry, Mr Karabo Gare says government has secured funds for the construction of Moshupa/Mayana road.

Mr Gare told a kgotla meeting said the road design was at tendering stage, adding that construction of Moshupa primary hospital would soon commence. 

On other issues Mr Gare said the last meeting of Parliament had amended the trade act of 2003 with the aim of simplifying the licensing procedure to ease doing business in Botswana. 

He said the revised trade bill would much cater for issues of health and safety in businesses dealing with takeaway, fresh produce, funeral parlour, restaurant, filling stations and beauty parlour. 

Mr Gare said businesses such as supermarkets, wholesales, general clothing, car wash and motor dealers could now operate without going through inspections. “Such businesses can be registered and then start operating immediately without having to go through the inspection of business premises process, but will however notify local authority of their presence within 30 days of operation,” he said.

He also noted that Parliament had amended the industrial development act of 2003, in line with the approved Doing Business Road Map through presidential directive of improving efficiency in the issuance of industrial licences. 

He said the bill facilitated reduced turnaround time for the issuance, adding that enterprises not having any health hazards issues would just register with companies and intellectual property authority and thereafter notify the relevant local authority within 30 days.

Mr Gare therefore encouraged the youth to take advantage of such development and seek funds from the Youth Development fund to open businesses.

Mr Gare also informed residents that Botswana Meat Commission (BMC) was to become a private company, as for quite some time BMC had not been benefiting Batswana. 

He said the move would open doors for competition hence impacting on their livelihoods, with regard to receiving their payments on time.

In his welcome remarks, Kgosi Kebinatswene Mosielele of Manyana, advised residents to ensure that their voices were heard at the coming general election. 

He encouraged all to vote, adding that they should consider themselves valuable as they contributed significantly towards determining the government.

He encouraged them to vote valuable leaders who could best represent them. 

Kgosi Mosielele said there was a challenge of sand mining, and pleaded with the assistant minister to identify how best they could be used to benefit the youth in the village. ENDS