Africa-Press – Botswana. Four years after planting the first citrus tree to launch the Selebi Phikwe citrus project, President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi will next month have the opportunity to taste the fruits of his labour.
The first harvest of the citrus fruit project will take place on March 21 after the project was launched on December 11, 2020.
It has been a long journey which all began with wooing the investor who, according to trade and industry assistant minister, Ms Beauty Manake and Minister of Agriculture, Mr Fidelis
Molao, was approached in 2019, courtesy of Botswana Investment and Trade Centre (BITC) fulfilling their mandate to lure investors into the country.
It was then that BITC began working closely with the Botswana Embassy and other stakeholders like Selebi Phikwe Economic Diversification (SPEDU) and the investor about opportunities in the country.
The journey also included some undertaking to South Africa in September 2019 led by President Masisi, who was able to persuade the investor to set up in Botswana.
Ke a le tsamaela, he would say as he continues to travel the world luring investors.
It was after such convincing that the investor came to Botswana for due diligence and to appreciate available land parcels in the SPEDU region which unfortunately were reported unsuitable.
The status quo compelled SPEDU and BITC to approach the Mmadinare Multipurpose Cooperative Society on possible joint venture partnership or leasing their land since it was not utilised.
It was a tedious exercise which saw such some lengthy engagements which eventually led the parties to agree to lease land.
After reaching an agreement, the journey continued and the investor was, through BITC’s Botswana One Stop Service Centre (BOSSC), facilitated.
The exercise was incomplete without engaging other key players in the likes of Water Utilities Corporation (WUC), Botswana Power Corporation (BPC), Ministry of Agriculture as well as the Department of Roads. Water utilities authorised a 12km pipeline which started from its treatment plant to the farm while BPC smoothed the exercise and provided a power line from Selebi Phikwe to the farm.
The joint efforts by the respective stakeholders are what have birthed the long-awaited harvest.
Nonetheless, it would not be of any use to start a project and neglect to look for export markets for the produce, and this is where we now see BITC tirelessly working with relevant stakeholders ensure that after harvest the citrus fruits do not remain in the farm.
And under the slogan, Empowering communities; One Job At a Time, BITC remains adamant that with the citrus project, which does not only harvest fruits, but also cultivates employment, they are sowing a seed of prosperity within the township.
The project, facilitated by the Ministry of Agriculture as the custodians of the sector, also comes with comparative benefits for Botswana as an investment destination.
Boasting the country’s long history of political stability, democracy and good governance, this creates a reliable and secure investment environment.
Botswana also has a stable and resilient economy with low inflation rates, sound fiscal policies and prudent macro-economic management.
Not only that, the country further offers various investment incentives, including tax holidays, duty-free importation of machinery and raw materials as well as reduced corporate tax rates for certain industries. Among them are manufacturing, International Financial Services Centre (IFSC), Special Economic Zones (SEZs)’s 15 per cent against 22 per cent for other industries.
Botswana, situated at the heart of Southern Africa, serves as a gateway to regional markets such as South Africa, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe, providing access to a market of over 300 million people through regional trade agreements.
And the Kazungula Bridge, a 923-metre-long by 18.5-metre-wide facility with the longest span of 129 metres linking Kazungula in Zambia with Botswana, offers a gateway to central and east African markets, also becomes a plus for the country.
Another comparative advantage is that Botswana is rich in natural resources, particularly diamonds, which contribute significantly to its economy and vast reserves of other minerals such as manganese, coal, copper, nickel and soda ash.
The country has further invested in developing its infrastructure, including transportation networks, telecommunications and energy supply, to support business activities and facilitate trade.
These are just a few of the several comparative advantages that Botswana offers as an investment destination.
On one hand, a lot can be said about the Selebi Phikwe citrus project in terms of value addition to the national economy given that the project is expected to have several spill-over effects on core sub-sectors such as production of inputs such as fertilizers and agrochemicals, investment in primary production and post-harvest infrastructure, secondary processing such honey production, cosmetic products and fruit juice manufacturing, marketing, sales and distribution infrastructure as well as support services such as development of technical expertise, research and development, extension service, transport and logistics.
Given that the citrus project produce is mainly for the export market, it is reported that Botswana has ratified several Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with the latest being the African Continental Free Trade Area (AFCFTA).
It is believed that such agreements will have positive impact on the citrus project because the FTAs offer numerous benefits, including increased market access to global markets.
For instance, the AfCFTA aims to create a single market for goods and services across Africa, promoting intra-African trade which currently accounts for only about 15 per cent of total trade. AfCFTA is therefore expected to create enhanced market access for the citrus product.
Again, trade agreements offer ease of access to export market by eliminating or reducing tariff and non-tariff barriers.
Further, it is anticipated that FTAs will enhance competitive edge for the country’s citrus products.
Meanwhile, the road to the first harvest, having already started, would feature a media tour of the farm on March 8 and a one-day #PushaBW Selebi Phikwe Expo on March 20.
The expo aims to provide, among others, a forum for businesses to interact with potential buyers, share information about available public and private sector procurement opportunities, promote and sell locally made goods.
It also aims to promote collaboration between local businesses as well as share information about available government business support services. Stalls and exhibition spaces will be availed to companies for free.
With different stakeholders attending as well as the opportunities it will offer, the expo promises to be an unforgettable experience for all involved. And expectations are that President Masisi will enjoy the sweet, juicy fruit that he planted four years ago.
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