President Mokgweetsi Masisi this week reaffirmed government's resolute commitment to driving forward the nation's economic agenda.
Speaking during the Selebi Phikwe Exposition, which is a curtain raiser to the first Selebi Phikwe Citrus Harvest ceremony the president was elated to witness the revival of the sleeping giant since the closure of the mine.
Against the backdrop of the closure of the BCL mine, the President highlighted a resurgence of the manufacturing sector in the SPEDU region, attributing it to concerted efforts to diversify economic activity.
"The 2024/2025 National Budget provides a solid foundation for unlocking sustainable opportunities for job creation, poverty reduction, and achieving a high-income status for the country," he said. Encouraging all Batswana to capitalize on these opportunities, he stressed the importance of leveraging local resources and talents to achieve collective prosperity.
The expo itself, a showcase of over 60 exhibitors, predominantly from Selebi Phikwe and its environs, symbolised the vibrancy of Botswana's entrepreneurial spirit. President Masisi lauded the efforts of small, micro, and medium enterprises (SMMEs) in driving local economic growth, highlighting their role in meeting market demands and supplying diverse sectors, including private enterprises, mines, and government.
Central to the government's vision is the promotion of local production and consumption through initiatives such as the #PushaBW Campaign. The President urged buyers to prioritise locally made goods and services, emphasizing the importance of supporting homegrown industries to foster economic self-sufficiency.
Recognising the untapped potential of the SPEDU region in agribusiness, manufacturing, tourism, and services, he underscored the government's commitment to facilitating value chain development. He announced the imminent launch of the Selebi Phikwe Citrus project, a landmark agri-business initiative poised to drive export-led growth and create numerous downstream industries.
In line with efforts to empower youth and promote equality, the President highlighted the Youth Development Fund and the newly established 'Chema Chema Fund' to support the informal sector. Moreover, he announced an increase in the Youth Development Fund budget, reflecting the government's dedication to fostering youth entrepreneurship and job creation.
Addressing the imperative of market access and financial inclusion for informal businesses, Masisi outlined plans to review and implement the 2019 Informal Sector Strategy. He commended the Local Enterprise Authority's (LEA) recent infrastructure investments in Selebi Phikwe, underscoring the government's commitment to creating conducive environments for informal enterprises to thrive.
President Masisi expressed optimism about Botswana's participation in the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AFCFTA). He emphasised the need for increased production and collaboration to leverage the benefits of this vast common market, signaling a pivotal moment for Botswana's economic trajectory.
Acting Minister of Entrepreneurship, Molebatsi Molebatsi noted that the expo aligns with the government's RESET Agenda's priority of Value Chain Development (VCD). This strategic focus underscores the importance of value chains in fostering economic growth, particularly through the creation of new high-growth companies and opportunities for youth employment.
Commending the collaborative efforts of various stakeholders, both in the public and private sectors, Molebatsi highlighted the significance of landing investments like the Selebi Phikwe Citrus Project in Botswana's SPEDU Region. He underscored the project's role in diversifying the region's economic base, historically reliant on mining and energy production, towards agricultural production and beyond.
The Minister emphasized the potential for establishing resilient, competitive enterprises across the citrus value chain. He pledged continued support from his ministry and affiliated departments in providing policy direction and strategic input to facilitate enterprise and ecosystem development in the region.
Molebatsi also called upon government agencies like the Local Enterprise Authority (LEA), the Citizen Entrepreneurial Development Agency (CEDA), and the Botswana Agricultural Marketing Board (BAMB) to stand ready in supporting Batswana to harness the value chain opportunities presented by projects like the Selebi Phikwe Citrus Project.
Furthermore, he appealed to Batswana to utilize government programs and services to establish and expand businesses across industries, fostering resilient economic clusters. He encouraged collaboration between academia, research institutions, the private sector, and government to provide thought leadership to industry and drive innovation.
Speaking during the Selebi Phikwe Exposition, which is a curtain raiser to the first Selebi Phikwe Citrus Harvest ceremony the president was elated to witness the revival of the sleeping giant since the closure of the mine.
Against the backdrop of the closure of the BCL mine, the President highlighted a resurgence of the manufacturing sector in the SPEDU region, attributing it to concerted efforts to diversify economic activity.
"The 2024/2025 National Budget provides a solid foundation for unlocking sustainable opportunities for job creation, poverty reduction, and achieving a high-income status for the country," he said. Encouraging all Batswana to capitalize on these opportunities, he stressed the importance of leveraging local resources and talents to achieve collective prosperity.
The expo itself, a showcase of over 60 exhibitors, predominantly from Selebi Phikwe and its environs, symbolised the vibrancy of Botswana's entrepreneurial spirit. President Masisi lauded the efforts of small, micro, and medium enterprises (SMMEs) in driving local economic growth, highlighting their role in meeting market demands and supplying diverse sectors, including private enterprises, mines, and government.
Central to the government's vision is the promotion of local production and consumption through initiatives such as the #PushaBW Campaign. The President urged buyers to prioritise locally made goods and services, emphasizing the importance of supporting homegrown industries to foster economic self-sufficiency.
Recognising the untapped potential of the SPEDU region in agribusiness, manufacturing, tourism, and services, he underscored the government's commitment to facilitating value chain development. He announced the imminent launch of the Selebi Phikwe Citrus project, a landmark agri-business initiative poised to drive export-led growth and create numerous downstream industries.
In line with efforts to empower youth and promote equality, the President highlighted the Youth Development Fund and the newly established 'Chema Chema Fund' to support the informal sector. Moreover, he announced an increase in the Youth Development Fund budget, reflecting the government's dedication to fostering youth entrepreneurship and job creation.
Addressing the imperative of market access and financial inclusion for informal businesses, Masisi outlined plans to review and implement the 2019 Informal Sector Strategy. He commended the Local Enterprise Authority's (LEA) recent infrastructure investments in Selebi Phikwe, underscoring the government's commitment to creating conducive environments for informal enterprises to thrive.
President Masisi expressed optimism about Botswana's participation in the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AFCFTA). He emphasised the need for increased production and collaboration to leverage the benefits of this vast common market, signaling a pivotal moment for Botswana's economic trajectory.
Acting Minister of Entrepreneurship, Molebatsi Molebatsi noted that the expo aligns with the government's RESET Agenda's priority of Value Chain Development (VCD). This strategic focus underscores the importance of value chains in fostering economic growth, particularly through the creation of new high-growth companies and opportunities for youth employment.
Commending the collaborative efforts of various stakeholders, both in the public and private sectors, Molebatsi highlighted the significance of landing investments like the Selebi Phikwe Citrus Project in Botswana's SPEDU Region. He underscored the project's role in diversifying the region's economic base, historically reliant on mining and energy production, towards agricultural production and beyond.
The Minister emphasized the potential for establishing resilient, competitive enterprises across the citrus value chain. He pledged continued support from his ministry and affiliated departments in providing policy direction and strategic input to facilitate enterprise and ecosystem development in the region.
Molebatsi also called upon government agencies like the Local Enterprise Authority (LEA), the Citizen Entrepreneurial Development Agency (CEDA), and the Botswana Agricultural Marketing Board (BAMB) to stand ready in supporting Batswana to harness the value chain opportunities presented by projects like the Selebi Phikwe Citrus Project.
Furthermore, he appealed to Batswana to utilize government programs and services to establish and expand businesses across industries, fostering resilient economic clusters. He encouraged collaboration between academia, research institutions, the private sector, and government to provide thought leadership to industry and drive innovation.
