The Botswana Confederation of Commerce, Industry and Manpower (BOCCIM) says in a belated response it never met with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) delegation to Botswana.
BOCCIM is the private sector representative in the country.
The latest revelation may have further put the credibility of the IMF at stake,
raising suspicions that over the years, the international organization may have presented a twisted reflection of Botswana.
The IMF at the end of its two week long mission to Botswana claimed it had met with members of civil society, the private sector and development partners outside government ÔÇô a claim that was refuted by some members of the civil society, including the leader of opposition.
“A representative of BOCCIM’s Executive management was to meet with the IMF, however, due to unforeseen urgent circumstances could not meet with the delegation at the time,” said Tebogile Oletile, the BOCCIM spokesperson.
The visit by the IMF appears to have been shrouded in secrecy as the government did not issue a statement about the presence of the mission.
In the same breath, the facilitator of the visit, the Bank of Botswana, has refused to be drawn into disclosing whom outside the government the IMF met with.
BoB’s Head of Communications, Andrew Sesinyi, has said that it was improper for him to do so on behalf of the IMF.
The IMF delegation was in the country to review recent economic developments and prospects and policies to ensure continued macroeconomic stability and growth.
