Dear Editor,
The current administration, for all its alleged ills, has to be commended for two things: One, the perverseness and consistency with which it has endeavored to mitigate the high levels of poverty in the country ÔÇô especially through HE’s flagship programmes. Two, the inclination towards people centered development and the ensuing policies and programmes. It’s always a pleasant sight witnessing a cabinet member transplanting seedling or laying a brick for a destitute in a remote settlement. Be that as it may, there is a lot that can and should be done to fight the levels of poverty in the country; not least by inculcating a sense of entrepreneurialship in Batswana. We, however, need to do away with policies and laws that are shown to be antithetical to the growth of businesses in Botswana.
One appreciates the government has an obligation to collect revenue from individuals and businesses through different taxes and levies (for obvious reasons); but that should not be at the detriment of start-ups looking to establish themselves. The warped company / business registration and licensing laws (and the need for such) are clearly shown to be thwarting private enterprising, especially in home run businesses. Many businesses, to date, rely on the government for survival as people’s purchasing power has been obliterated by the ever rising inflation and other economic factors out of their control. It thus makes very little sense for the government to continue implementing such stringent regulations. Issues relating to land use (zoning) are a great hindrance to doing business. We understand the rationale behind planning land, but as long as doing business does not tempter with the environment we feel the laws are archaic and effectively anti-development. The adoption of integrated farming policy is a positive step and should inspire many, especially the youth, to engage in income generating activities.
The creation of economic linkages between established businesses and emerging enterprises can hardly be attained if the latter is not allowed a favorable platform in which to flourish. We mush hasten to applaud the government’s initiative in realizing the importance of e-governance in such critical services as tax management, but in the same manner show disappointment in the fact that many SMME’s are crippled by an inefficient payment system. BOCCIM as an advocacy organization for the private sector is very sluggish in addressing the plight of the private sector. Commercial banks, as a matter of fact, have benefitted immensely from Batswana but have done very little to help the SMME sector.
Batswana have shown an unprecedented amount of zeal in recent times ÔÇô thanks mostly to the current administration’s liberal approach and support to the SMME sector ÔÇô but too much government regulation and lack of support from financial institutions will not inspire many. We must introspect and review our trade laws. Our desire to have an active private sector contributing to the growth of the economy – when juxtaposed with our efforts to increase government revenue – should never be compromised.
Otsile Moora
Gaborone
