BY KABELO SEITSHIRO
The President – Mokgweetsi Masisi has once again made promises to address concerns and challenges that the country continues to face in doing business.
Masisi, who was speaking at the High Level Consultative Council (HLCC) meeting this Thursday, said that the failure to address the issues was evidenced by the declining rankings in the Ease of Doing Business, as measured by the World Bank.
He however noted that there have been improvements in a number of areas that facilitate investment and other private sector endeavours.
“We have made significant improvement in this area. I am reliably informed that the structures that drive the Doing Business Reforms have been resuscitated and improved as agreed in the last meeting,” said Masisi.
Masisi gave an example with the issuance of VISA at points of entry, as well as the decentralisation of the issuance of VISAS to the Embassies and High Commissions. He added that this is an important reform that will not only make it easy for new investors coming into the country but it will also smoothen domestic companies’ ability to access skills that may be needed from outside the borders.
Masisi said that during his inauguration speech in April last year, he made a commitment that institutions that are mandated to promote governance, peace and security would relentlessly deal with corruption and economic crime. He stated that corruption remains one of the evils that stand in the way to achieve the National Vision 2036 aspirations. He also stated that corruption, if left unchecked, could destroy the economy of this country. He said in order to transform the economy to a high income status, he urged people to be part of the fight to eliminate this scourge that is increasingly becoming institutionalised in both the public and private sectors.
“We will not succeed in attracting the desired Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), nor will we succeed to grow our economy in any meaningful way if allow corruption to be part of our business culture,” said Masisi.
He said government is determined to do all it takes to win the battle, adding that in that regard, the Declaration of Assets and Liabilities Bill will be tabled before Parliament during the winter session.
He believes that it is important to introspect and examine progress made regarding issues that affect the nation with the objective of charting the way forward in terms of advancing the national development agenda.
