SEZ ringfencing takes center stage
Special Economic Zone ( SEZ) Chief Executive Officer, Lonely Mogara says SEZA has initiated a strategic process of ring- fencing the SEZ reform at the Central Government level.
This undertaking, he said has been marked by extensive engagements with various Government Ministries and the meticulous development of legal instructions aimed at amending relevant laws. According to him, these amendments are crucial in enabling the operationalisation of SEZ incentives, thereby fostering an environment conducive to investment and growth.
Addressing the 7th Mayors Forum this week, Mogara said ring- fencing of the SEZ Reform has taken center stage at the highest level of Government. He said President Mokgweetsi Masisi and his Cabinet are at the helm of establishing a Board of Investors, which is a strategic Platform chaired by the President, to unlock all barriers to investment. He explained that this avenue will fast track the onboarding and roll out on investors in SEZs. He said SEZ took a decision to embark on this pivotal journey aimed at realising the transformative potential of SEZs.
“We understand that true success lies in the integration of efforts at both the Central and Local Government levels. We continue to recognise Local Authorities as being pivotal in onboarding and facilitating investors, facilitating infrastructure development and streamlining regulatory processes. It was not by chance that we identified you as indispensable partners in our mission towards realising the positive impact that can be brought by the SEZ reform,” he said.
Ac c ord i ng to Fr anc i s town Mayor, Godisang Radisigo, they are
still journeying on with efforts to operationalise Special Economic Zones ( SEZs) in localities.
He said they have made significant progress in the past six Mayors Forum sessions and he believes that they will continue to make strides to implement the SEZ reform. He stated that they have just begun the second year and final year of the Transitional National Development Plan. He indicated that Batswana expect to see a lot of change with regard to economic development to drive the achievement of the national vision.
“I therefore must express my concern that the delivery of the SEZ is slow. There are many challenges that are hampering progress such as funding, lack of stakeholder collaboration and global economic shocks which impact negatively on investment. As the Chairperson, I acknowledge the commitment that government has shown so far as we recently witnessed with Selibe Citrus Project. However, more effort is still needed for all the projects to take shape,” Radisigo told the Forum.
He pointed out that the SEZ reform remains the key to unlocking employment opportunities that localities desperately need. He added that through this initiative, the City of Francistown, for example, can unlock potential to grow as a city and become competitive.
“Let us be encouraged to support SEZA as they implement their mandate through our localities. Moreover, let us unite in lobbying for more support. Council’s carry the weight of the communities on their back. Therefore, the interface between Mayor’s and government on interventions going forward is of paramount importance,” Radisigo said, adding that communities demand delivery from councils.