Africa-Press – Lesotho. THE Lesotho National Development Corporation (LNDC) says there is an array of business and investment opportunities that need to be exploited. The LNDC said this last Thursday while wrapping up the district road shows which it had been holding in the last few weeks.
To date, the road shows have been held in Mafeteng, Quthing, Qacha’s Nek and Mohale’s Hoek to sensitise small businesses of the existing opportunities.
Florence Motoa, speaking on behalf of the LNDC CEO, said they are determined to disseminate information that will help small businesses grow and improve the economy of this country.
Motoa said the LNDC is using a strategic plan that was officially launched in August that guides them on how to make their goal a success. “The strategy that we use paves an easy way into business looking into the department of manufacturing after realising our long term mistake of looking more into textile,” she said.
Motoa said to ramp up their efforts, they are now looking into production of any kind including that of agriculture and food production. Now it is clear that the world is swiftly delving into technology because there is a necessity.
“The LNDC sees the need to invest into technology,” she said.
The LNDC, in collaboration with the Lesotho Tourism Development Corporation (LTDC), is looking closely into tourism with a sole purpose of achieving development.
Motoa said they have a strategy for different sectors of development to work on the problem of access to finance. “It is for this reason that we are working jointly with the banks to help put into use strategic plans,” she said.
The LNDC Investment Promotion Manager, ’Mabataung Tsinyane, said they are determined to invest in agriculture and processing, tourism, manufacturing, innovation and technology.
She said the priority products that are more exported in manufacturing are herbs and spices, processed wood, water, fish, hams and fruits. Tsinyane said it is vital to invest in agriculture as per the agreements that Lesotho entered into with SADC and SACU members.
She said this will make it easier to access the international markets. She also said the other important thing is that Lesotho is a member of the World Organization of Animal Health.
She said Lesotho was declared not having any animal related diseases and most importantly “we also do not have water borne diseases”. Tsinyane said although the country has a market internationally, Basotho need to know that there is also a huge market within the country.
“They can invest in agriculture and sell them to Maloti Fresh and Litholoana tsa Basotho in Masianokeng,” she said. Because of the beauty of the country, Tsinyane said, it would be an advantage to invest into tourism because it is capable of attracting tourists.
“Lesotho has a great chance to excel in manufacturing since it has quota free access to the United States of America,” she said, adding that it is also a beneficiary under AGOA.
Tsinyane said manufacturing needs water that the country has in volumes and is ideal for this industry. She advised that small business owners could always bank on LNDC if they need to do proposals for investments.
She said the LNDC could guide them with points that could help them become successful. “We also guide entrepreneurs on how to have good relations with their employees and also we also have a strategic unit in which we build financial instruments,” Tsinyane said.
Stakeholder Engagement Specialist at BEDCO, Mpoi Lebakeng, said they offer training and guidelines to the traders from the start until they can fully operate on their own using strategies that help these businesses grow.
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