His Excellency the President Dr. Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi has encouraged investors to do business in Botswana.
“Programme Director, let me take this opportunity to appraise the business community present here this morning, of the efforts undertaken by my Government to spearhead reforms for the ease of Doing Business. As of 21st October 2021, the global anti-money laundering watchdog, known as the Financial Action Task Force, removed Botswana from its Grey List category. The announcement has given us the much-needed investor confidence, demonstrating Botswana’s commitment to undertaking continuous business environment reforms. On 17th September 2021, the Standards and Poor credit rating agency revised its economic outlook for Botswana from negative to stable, giving further credence that Botswana is ready to conduct business. Investors can now be granted permanent residence status by the Minister even before they have reached the minimum five years of residence. Botswana launched the e-visa system on 12th August 2021, allowing travellers from around the world to apply for visas through a digital platform, thus reducing the turnaround time for visa applications.” Masisi revealed at the Botswana/France Investor Roundtable discussions earlier today.
Masisi further enticed the investors by notifying them of Botswana/France Double Taxation Avoidance Treaty of 2002, an instrument established to facilitate investment flows between the two countries. Further to that, he mentioned the SADC-EU Economic Partnership Agreement, which he says is another key instrument to unlock market access opportunities for the French companies based in Botswana for export into greater Europe.
The President also talked about Botswana’s Digital Transformation Strategy, and the established Special Economic Zones (SEZs) which also offer an good opportunity for investors to do business in Botswana. These assure investors of good broadband network, and conducive environment for making business.
“Botswana’s digital transformation is facilitated through strategic infrastructure, which includes an expansive broadband network that runs on fibre. We have also established Special Economic Zones (SEZ) around eight sites in Botswana, offering some of the most attractive incentives in the region. The sites around Gaborone aim to transform the city through a multi sector SEZ linking with developments around the airport city, the Diamond Trading Centre and the financial services hub. Other SEZs locations seek to promote commercial agriculture and agro-processing; meat and leather industry; as well as cargo and logistics.” said President Masisi.
