11 Mar 2025

 In a move to make it easier for investors to set up and operate businesses in Botswana, government will do its best to cut all the bureaucratic red tape prohibiting investments in the country. 

This was said by Vice President and also Minister of Finance, Mr Ndaba Gaolathe following a tour of the KGK Diamonds Botswana in Gaborone on Monday.

This, he said would help in securing investors as government was looking for partners with deep proprietary knowledge, insights and experiences that the country did not have.

The partners, Mr Gaolathe said should have deep pockets and willing to be part of the country’s story, culture and narrative.

Also, the Vice President appreciated KGK Diamonds Botswana for the investments it had made in Botswana.

“We consider it our duty to be able to sit down with partners, such as yourselves whenever there are issues that need to be talked about or things to be improved,” he said. 

Further, Mr Gaolathe commended the diamond company for its plans to expand into agriculture, which was an important part of government’s transformational agenda.

 “We appreciate and we are hopeful that all this will bear fruit for our people. We will create massive employment opportunities for our people. We look forward to seeing you and the flowering of your project in Botswana,” he added. 

For his part, KGK Group director, Mr Navrattan Kothari said the company had intended to venture into agriculture in an effort to contribute to toward the country’s food security as well as to diversify its revenue streams. 

Mr Kothari said KGK Agro Botswana would support farmers through Contract Farming at Pantamatenga with 400 hectares, which started this year. 

In addition, he said the group was also interested in supporting the smallholder cluster farmers through its small farm holders development programme. 

“We plan to ensure food security within the country through our Agro Community trading expertise to strike a balance of trade within the agricultural industry in Botswana,” he said. 

KGK Diamond DMCC chief financial officer, Mr Sunil Agrawal, also explained that through its Agro Community trading, the company could take care of warehouse management and stock control of Pandamantenga Silos. 

With the support of government, Mr Agrawal said the company, with bulk production and storage facility, could ensure volume exports of agro commodity from the country. 

This, he said, would also enhance the profitability for the investor and the government, with the support of their commodity financing institutions. 

“We can also import shortfall commodities in Botswana, such as soya beans, black eye peas and cow peas, just to mention but a few,” he added.

In terms of skill development, Mr Agrawal said the company provided comprehensive training on diamond, gemstone and jewellery techniques, through its KGK Academy to equip the trainees with the practical skills needed to excel in the industry. 

Furthermore, through its skills transfer and development programme, he said the company trained locals with the latest technologies. ENDS