SPEDU falls short in job creation target

2 294 jobs against target of 6 856

A total 2 294 jobs have been created against a target of 6 856 for the three year period of the SPEDU revitalisation programme since it started in April 2017.

Additionally 19 textile, apparel and paraphernalia companies are currently operational in Selebi- Phikwe. Out of these companies, 15 are citizen- owned, one is a joint venture and three are foreign- owned, Parliament heard.

These companies supplied different Government institutions such as Botswana Police Services, Botswana Defence Force, North West District, Ghanzi District Council Chobe District, Francistown Town Council Masunga, Bobonong, and Central District Council with protective clothing, uniform, LED bulbs and electrical components, estimated at a value of P6.5 million between financial years 2019 and 2020/ 2021. Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry, Peggy Serame told parliament that the companies are benefiting from the 30 percent off- take incentives. Serame said 15 of these companies are enjoying tax incentives. The tax incentives offer five percent corporate tax for the first five years and thereafter the corporate tax will be 10 percent.

She said the ministry continues to discuss challenges of lack of support for companies in the SPEDU region including Selebi- Phikwe with procuring entities across government.

This has resulted in amendments of some of the bidding documents that were not very supportive of local procurement in the past, and facilitation of the companies from the ministry for these companies to meet bidding requirements. Serame was answering a question from Member of Parliament for Selibe- Phikwe West, Dithapelo Keorapetse who had asked her to state the number and names of textile, apparels and paraphernalia companies operating in Selebi- Phikwe.

He wanted Serame to further update parliament on the number and names of companies that are benefiting from the 30 percent off- take and tax incentives.

Keorapetse asked the Minister what she was doing to ensure that incentives are reaching companies, and the number of people that are employed and the number that can be potentially employed if all incentives are fully implemented.