Africa-Press – Botswana. Government has revised Mophane user fees including those for utilisation of Phane through Cabinet Directive No CAB7 on User Fees and Services Charges in September 2020, Minister of Environment and Tourism, Mr Wynter Mmolotsi has told Parliament.
He said increased in prices covered Harvest Permit from P2 to P5, Dealers Permit from P50 to P110 and the Exporters Permit, which increased from P500 to P2 200. He said the increase that affected majority of those who were most in need were kept to a minimum; which are harvesters at P5 and traders at P110. He said the P2 200 increase was mainly for commercial operators.
Regarding the price increase on Exporters Permit, M
r Mmolotsi said government would conduct studies to determine the ideal price based on the market forces. He further encouraged local manufacturing companies to venture into processing of Phane products at community level to diversify the product base. He said processed products would bring significantly higher prices and d more jobs than trading in unprocessed Mophane worms.
Member of Parliament for Bobirwa, Mr Taolo Lucas had asked the minister to state the rationale for increasing the export permit of Mophane worm, and if the increase was amendable to reduce.
For More News And Analysis About Botswana Follow Africa-Press
