- A dedicated Investment Law and a Commercial Court pilot project to be launched - Eco-Tourism to reach greater heights
Much work lies ahead in the implementation of the just-concluded multi-million Pula Job Creation and Investment Climate (JCIC) programme between Botswana and the European Union (EU).
This is a development programme that has birthed several documents including; an Audit and Gaps Analysis for outdated business laws in order to align them with modern developments and global standards, a Feasibility Study on the establishment of a Commercial Court and a Feasibility Study on Botswana’s commercial arbitration to align Botswana’s alternative dispute resolution framework to international standards.
Minister of Trade and Industry, Mmusi Kgafela reflects with pride at the notable achievements of the programme that was started in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic. He is happy that among the results of the programme is a Comparative Analysis of Doing Business Climate in Botswana. “This has come up with recommendations that are to be undertaken to address gaps identified by the Study,” he explained.
EU Team Leader, Dr Sid Boubekeur explained to Botswana Guardian that the programme has also produced methodologies that will be critical to the implementation of the programme.
“It is important for all projects to have analysis and this is exactly what we did,” he said, explaining that they coordinated all actions with the relevant authorities.
For example, they carried out the feasibility study on the establishment of a Commercial Court with the Administration of Justice, of which a pilot project will soon be launched.
Within the Eco-Tourism sector, they went further to train about 30 women in Tourism dominated areas of Etsha 6, Gumare and D’kar to build innovative projects regarding their basketry.
“Now we have experts looking for markets for these products as well as branding.”
According to Minister Kgafela, the programme also resulted in an Investor-Guide for Botswana for investors; Community-based resource guidelines to promote sustainable use of natural resources and actively involve local
communities in conservation efforts; the Makgadikgadi, Nxai Pan National Parks Management Plan, which applies strategic approach to conservation, to community engagement and tourism management; the Meetings,
Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) Strategy, which aims to enhance the MICE sector as a catalyst for economic growth thereby fostering increased employment opportunities.
Additionally, a Study on Handcraft Supply Chain with recommended strategies to enhance its sustainability, global competitiveness and access to markets; as well as a Trendbook for Handicraft communities aiming to spotlight innovating handicraft products, which are suitable for both domestic and international markets.
The overall objective of the EU funded programme is to contribute to job creation and improve investment climate in Botswana.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Trade and Industry, Ellen Richard-Madisa said the programme sought to come up with workable solutions in doing business environment in Botswana and promote development of eco-tourism value chains thereby fostering employment creation and sustainable eco-friendly production patterns in the tourism sector with the overall goal of supporting economic diversification.
Head of Delegation of the EU to Botswana and SADC, Petra Pereyra, concurred with the Minister that the programme has delivered concrete results in attracting investors across the board and generating employment, particularly for women and youth in the last four years.
“This partnership with government reflects a strong EU commitment to economic growth and sustainable development of Botswana, objectives which we continue supporting also in the future,” she said, adding that the programme reflects a strong EU commitment to economic growth and sustainable development of Botswana.
She explained that the JCIC programme has been implemented in the wider context of EU-Botswana partnership and has been growing stronger by the year.
It also made possible, the EU-Botswana Business Forum that was held last year in October and the recent signing of SAMOA Agreement between EU and Africa, Pacific Caribbean including the African Union countries and
Botswana.
“We also have seen increased cooperation and there will be more coming up with the new multi-billion EU-Africa investment programme. We also support human capital development in Africa as well as in Botswana,” she said, adding that the JCIC is a flagship programme that has positive impact on the ground.
According to Pererya, the main achievements of the programme include the prototype of the Botswana One Stop Service Centre on digitilisation for better service to citizens.
The programme has also increased practical capacity for the Ministry to access the gaps of doing business in Botswana through training, including through considering a dedicated investment law and a Commercial Court, among others.
On whether the programme will be extended to other priority sectors as identified by the Vision 2036, Pererya told Botswana Guardian that Eco-Tourism was chosen because it is currently the second biggest sector in the economy after mining.
“When we work on programmes like these we always work closely with stakeholders and government to ensure that the limited funding is directed and targets in the best possible way, other efforts in other areas,” she said.
She added that Eco-Tourism is also defined in EU-Botswana partnership alongside Digital Transformation, both of which are aligned to the overall objective of job creation.
According to Pererya, the programme has contributed to unleashing the untapped economic potential and supported the economy in its transition from a natural resource-based economy to a knowledge-based high-income economy.
“This is in line with the EU priorities in development cooperation and Botswana government’s Vision 2036.”
For Minister Kgafela, the journey through the programme is a remarkable one. He said through the JCIC programme, the Ministry has received invaluable support in prioritising privatisation of high-impact reforms that will simplify and accelerate licensing, permits of investors and improve global competitiveness.
“Efficiency does not stop at processes and reengineering but goes a step further to leverage on the latest ICT innovations and technology hence collaboration with the Ministry of Communication,” he said.
Kgafela explained that the programme prioritised Tourism as it has great potential to create jobs and diversify the economy. He added that the sector affects the lives of some local communities who benefit directly and indirectly from it.
“Significant strides were made in the Tourism industry especially at grassroots level,” he said, adding that the Ministry’s cooperation with the EU has not only supported the execution of their mandate but also laid ground work for accelerated business reforms in Botswana, the development of value chains within the Eco-Tourism sector with a view to bring sustainability.
The programme was implemented by the Ministry of Trade and Industry in collaboration with the Ministry of Communication, Technology and Knowledge and the Ministry of Environment and Tourism.
This is a development programme that has birthed several documents including; an Audit and Gaps Analysis for outdated business laws in order to align them with modern developments and global standards, a Feasibility Study on the establishment of a Commercial Court and a Feasibility Study on Botswana’s commercial arbitration to align Botswana’s alternative dispute resolution framework to international standards.
Minister of Trade and Industry, Mmusi Kgafela reflects with pride at the notable achievements of the programme that was started in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic. He is happy that among the results of the programme is a Comparative Analysis of Doing Business Climate in Botswana. “This has come up with recommendations that are to be undertaken to address gaps identified by the Study,” he explained.
EU Team Leader, Dr Sid Boubekeur explained to Botswana Guardian that the programme has also produced methodologies that will be critical to the implementation of the programme.
“It is important for all projects to have analysis and this is exactly what we did,” he said, explaining that they coordinated all actions with the relevant authorities.
For example, they carried out the feasibility study on the establishment of a Commercial Court with the Administration of Justice, of which a pilot project will soon be launched.
Within the Eco-Tourism sector, they went further to train about 30 women in Tourism dominated areas of Etsha 6, Gumare and D’kar to build innovative projects regarding their basketry.
“Now we have experts looking for markets for these products as well as branding.”
According to Minister Kgafela, the programme also resulted in an Investor-Guide for Botswana for investors; Community-based resource guidelines to promote sustainable use of natural resources and actively involve local
communities in conservation efforts; the Makgadikgadi, Nxai Pan National Parks Management Plan, which applies strategic approach to conservation, to community engagement and tourism management; the Meetings,
Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) Strategy, which aims to enhance the MICE sector as a catalyst for economic growth thereby fostering increased employment opportunities.
Additionally, a Study on Handcraft Supply Chain with recommended strategies to enhance its sustainability, global competitiveness and access to markets; as well as a Trendbook for Handicraft communities aiming to spotlight innovating handicraft products, which are suitable for both domestic and international markets.
The overall objective of the EU funded programme is to contribute to job creation and improve investment climate in Botswana.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Trade and Industry, Ellen Richard-Madisa said the programme sought to come up with workable solutions in doing business environment in Botswana and promote development of eco-tourism value chains thereby fostering employment creation and sustainable eco-friendly production patterns in the tourism sector with the overall goal of supporting economic diversification.
Head of Delegation of the EU to Botswana and SADC, Petra Pereyra, concurred with the Minister that the programme has delivered concrete results in attracting investors across the board and generating employment, particularly for women and youth in the last four years.
“This partnership with government reflects a strong EU commitment to economic growth and sustainable development of Botswana, objectives which we continue supporting also in the future,” she said, adding that the programme reflects a strong EU commitment to economic growth and sustainable development of Botswana.
She explained that the JCIC programme has been implemented in the wider context of EU-Botswana partnership and has been growing stronger by the year.
It also made possible, the EU-Botswana Business Forum that was held last year in October and the recent signing of SAMOA Agreement between EU and Africa, Pacific Caribbean including the African Union countries and
Botswana.
“We also have seen increased cooperation and there will be more coming up with the new multi-billion EU-Africa investment programme. We also support human capital development in Africa as well as in Botswana,” she said, adding that the JCIC is a flagship programme that has positive impact on the ground.
According to Pererya, the main achievements of the programme include the prototype of the Botswana One Stop Service Centre on digitilisation for better service to citizens.
The programme has also increased practical capacity for the Ministry to access the gaps of doing business in Botswana through training, including through considering a dedicated investment law and a Commercial Court, among others.
On whether the programme will be extended to other priority sectors as identified by the Vision 2036, Pererya told Botswana Guardian that Eco-Tourism was chosen because it is currently the second biggest sector in the economy after mining.
“When we work on programmes like these we always work closely with stakeholders and government to ensure that the limited funding is directed and targets in the best possible way, other efforts in other areas,” she said.
She added that Eco-Tourism is also defined in EU-Botswana partnership alongside Digital Transformation, both of which are aligned to the overall objective of job creation.
According to Pererya, the programme has contributed to unleashing the untapped economic potential and supported the economy in its transition from a natural resource-based economy to a knowledge-based high-income economy.
“This is in line with the EU priorities in development cooperation and Botswana government’s Vision 2036.”
For Minister Kgafela, the journey through the programme is a remarkable one. He said through the JCIC programme, the Ministry has received invaluable support in prioritising privatisation of high-impact reforms that will simplify and accelerate licensing, permits of investors and improve global competitiveness.
“Efficiency does not stop at processes and reengineering but goes a step further to leverage on the latest ICT innovations and technology hence collaboration with the Ministry of Communication,” he said.
Kgafela explained that the programme prioritised Tourism as it has great potential to create jobs and diversify the economy. He added that the sector affects the lives of some local communities who benefit directly and indirectly from it.
“Significant strides were made in the Tourism industry especially at grassroots level,” he said, adding that the Ministry’s cooperation with the EU has not only supported the execution of their mandate but also laid ground work for accelerated business reforms in Botswana, the development of value chains within the Eco-Tourism sector with a view to bring sustainability.
The programme was implemented by the Ministry of Trade and Industry in collaboration with the Ministry of Communication, Technology and Knowledge and the Ministry of Environment and Tourism.
