Africa-Press – Lesotho. Lesotho Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) held an inclusive private and public sector dialogue session on a Private and Public Diagnostic (PPD) framework in the presence of business associations’ representatives.
Giving the background, LCCI Economic Consultant ‘Makuena Kolobe in her presentation on PPD framework clarified that the African Development Bank (AfDB) Group and LCCI
had on 1st February 2018 signed a Fund for African Private Sector Assistance (FAPA) grant agreement of USD 915 000 to finance the Economic Diversification Support Technical Assistance Project (EDSTAP).
“The main objective of the project was to improve the institutional capacities and effectiveness of business associations
in Lesotho by improving partnerships, building capacity and delivering business development service,” Kolobe stated. She added that the project is also aimed to build an inter-dependent network of
Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMME’s) associations that would contribute towards creating a diversified and competitive economy in the country.
“Many countries in Africa, including Lesotho, lack institutionalized process for long
term engagement between the public and the private sectors so that drawback often results in the introduction of policies and regulations that are unfavorable to the interests of the private sector, which breeds mistrust and
lack of interest in compliance on the part of the private sector which results in weak response to government policy interventions,” she enlightened. Kolobe
stipulated that among other features of the PPD framework, there are principles that will guide it, which include facilitative, transparency, partnership,
inclusivity and ownership. She said they will also guide mandate and vision of the forum on specific objective and related initiatives. She also showed that
it is important for both partners to understand their key responsibilities in the PPD framework although the aim is for the duo government and the private
sector to work harmoniously in collaboration towards the implementation of reforms in their specific roles. “It is also important for the two parties to host public consultations on the
intended PPD framework to ensure follow up that the activities have been broadly informed by all stakeholders including the public,” She noted. Furthermore,
Lesotho Hotels and Hospitality Association (LHHA) president ‘Mamothe Mohapi indicated that as the private sector business associations, they are inspired and they overcome
the proposed PPD framework. Therefore, she said for both private and public sectors to empower the business associations, they should strictly focus more
on the reforms, work hand in hand and abandon the public sector ancient laws which used to hinder the private sector investors so that they can be able to
invest more as one. ”This could also motivate developing businesses like those of the street vendors as they are investors, willing to expand their businesses in future time.
I also encourage business associations to work together as a team with the public sector not as an entity because collectively we are accountable and can work hard to eradicate poverty along with developing the country’s economy,” she stated.
For More News And Analysis About Lesotho Follow Africa-Press
