Govt. empowers citizen owned businesses
Government has announced that all its departments and state owned entities will procure goods and services from citizen owned businesses in their regions as a move to empower Batswana businesses.
This move is expected to resuscitate the Small Medium Micro Enterprises sector after being negatively affected by the Covid 19 and the lockdowns. Deputy Permanent Secretary, Emma Peloetletse said the initiative would also increase SMMEs participation in public procurement through market access opportunities, resulting in SMME sector growth.
Employment creation, import substitution and economic diversification. “We have been having some provisions under the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Board which provides reservations for citizen owned enterprises but they have been having inefficiencies so we want to enforce them into a law,” she said.Government has now assigned the Local Enterprise Authority (LEA) to lead the project and monitor its implementation and progress. The authority will work in partnership with stakeholder institutions such as the office of president, Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry, PPADB, Ministry of Agriculture, and other government entities to implement this project. Meanwhile, LEA Chief Executive Officer, Dr Racious Moatshe said they would be registering all citizen owned businesses in various branches across the country.
“LEA will also identify the capacity development needs of the SMMEs operating in various parts of Botswana, with the intention to address their challenges and transform their businesses into innovative, competitive and sustainable businesses.”