Africa-Press – Botswana. The maiden Botswana Chamber of Mines (BCM) Local Manufacturing Summit is a historic event whose outcomes will be of great value to the national development agenda, President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi has said.
He said manufacturing, as a powerful economic force, had an ability to create sustainable employment and ensure economic diversification.
Officiating at the BCM Local Manufacturing Summit in Gaborone August 1, President Masisi said the manufacturing sector contributed the fifth largest share of jobs at 7.1 per cent.
He added, “We can and we must definitely do better.”
President Masisi said the summit came at an opportune time when the country was intensifying efforts at maximising value chain development in the manufacturing sector.
He said government remained resolute to facilitating key economic players in building the country’s economy for the benefit of its people.
Dr Masisi said government believed in the private sector-led initiatives that could reflect how the business community would assist in driving government’s development agenda.
Therefore, Dr Masisi said he was pleased with how the Botswana Chamber of Mines and the rest of the business community took the initiative to lead efforts that would contribute to the realisation of Vision 2036 aspiration of achieving a high-income status.
He said the coming together of key strategic players was a great milestone for Botswana, as it was witnessed by the Botswana Chamber of Mines taking an initiative to move out of its comfort zone to host the summit.
President Masisi said mining, as a significant contributor to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), had despite its own challenges experienced some measure of successes over the years.
“The most significant achievement has been our re-negotiation with the De Beers Group to attain more value from our diamonds, through our partnership in the Debswana venture,”he said. “The new sales agreement will translate into more economic benefits for Batswana,” he added.
He said the summit was BCM’s demonstration of dedication to the implementation and achievement of the 2020/21 – 2022/23 Economic Recovery and Transformation Plan (ERTP) together with the Reset Agenda.
President Masisi said the idea of bringing together strategic partners from Botswana and beyond to dialogue on the important national agenda was commendable.
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