11 Apr 2024

 Local authorities have been encouraged to support the Special Economic Zones Authority (SEZA) on delivering its mandate of operationalising the Special Economic Zones (SEZ) initiative across the country.

The call was made by chairperson of the Mayors Forum Mr Godisang Radisigo when officially opening the 7th Mayors Forum in Lobatse on Wednesday.

Mr Radisigo, who is also the mayor of Francistown City Council, highlighted that the SEZ reform was key to unlocking employment opportunities for the nation.

“If you take the example of the City of Francistown, this initiative is the only tool that can unlock our potential to grow as a city and become competitive.

Otherwise we will forever remain stagnant. Similarly, other localities need implementation of the SEZ reform to be fast-tracked to enable their growth. So let us be encouraged to support SEZA as they implement their mandate through our localities,” he said.

He pointed out that the interface between mayor’s and government on interventions going forward was of paramount importance. He further said delivery on SEZ reform was important as communities wanted outcomes on employment creation.

Mr Radisigo, however, said significant progress was made in the past six Mayors Forum sessions towards implementation of the SEZ reform. He, therefore, expressed confidence that more strides would continue being made to ensure that the SEZ reform were successfully implemented. “We have just begun the second year and final year of the Transitional National Development Plan.

Batswana expect to see a lot of change with regard to economic development to drive the achievement of our national vision.

Vision 2036 is just 11 years away and we aspire, as a nation to be prosperous by the year 2036,” he said.

He expressed concern about slowness of the delivery of SEZ. He said challenges included funding, lack of stakeholder collaboration and global economic shocks which impacted negatively on investment. Mr Radisigo said government’s commitment to SEZ implementation was evidenced by the Selebi Citrus Project.

“However, more effort is still needed for all the projects to take shape,” he said.

SEZA chief executive officer, Mr Lonely Mogara pointed out that through support from the Mayors Forum, his organization had made significant strides towards ensuring a seamless implementation of the SEZA mandate which included, the strategic process of ring-fencing the SEZ reform at Central Government level.

He said the process was marked by extensive engagements with government ministries and the meticulous development of legal instructions aimed at amending conflicting policies and statutes.

He explained that amendments of policies and statutes were crucial in enabling smooth rollout of the SEZ reform through implementation of the SEZ incentives and regulations, thus fostering the country’s conducive business environment.

“I am happy to announce that the ring fencing of the SEZ Reform has taken centre stage at the highest level of government. His Excellency, the President, Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi and his Cabinet are at the helm of establishing the Botswana Board of Investment, which is a strategic platform chaired by the President, to unlock all barriers to trade and investment.

This strategic avenue will fast-track the on boarding of investors and development of our SEZs,” he explained.

Mr Mogara urged the local authorities’ leadership to embrace a collaborative spirit, pointing out that teamwork would catalyse positive change, which would in turn transform communities and propel the nation towards a brighter future. ENDS