Botswana Trade dept conducts outreach campaigns in Francistown

Botswana: The Ministry of Trade and Industry, through the Department of Trade and Consumer Affairs, embarked on an outreach campaign in Francistown and Tonota recently. The purpose of the outreach campaigns is to acquaint Botswana Police Service Officers with the Liquor Act, 2003 and its Regulations, 2009, as well as the Trade Act, 2019 and Trade Regulations, 2020. Some of the topics covered during the presentations were Trade, 2019 and Trade Regulations, 2020.

The participants were informed that the Act was introduced to simplify licensing procedures and improve efficiency in the issuance of trade licences and ultimately improving the ease of doing business in Botswana.

The presentation further elaborated that the amendment of the Act abolished licencing committees and introduced over the counter issuance of both licences and registration certificates.

The attendees were informed that the abolishment of the Licensing Committees was to reduce the turnaround time for the issuance of licenses and registration certificates from 5 days to 1 day.

The other presentation was on the duties of Authorised Officers. Section 22 of the Trade Act 2019 and Section 26 of the Liquor list members of the Botswana Police Service Officers among the authorised officers. Therefore, it was important to share their duties as stipulated by the Act.

The office also presented the types of licences under the Liquor Act 2003. The presentation elaborated on offences and penalties as well as the eight licences issued in accordance with the provisions of the liquor Act. The eight licences are Bar liquor, Bottle store liquor, Liquor depot, Discotheque/night club liquor, Distributor liquor, Club liquor, Temporary Liquor and Wholesale Liquor.

The members of the Botswana Police commended the Department for taking them through the Acts as it will simplify the implementation of the Liquor Act, mainly during inspections and monitoring. They further requested more collaborations with the office to ensure compliance with the Liquor Act, especially during the holidays.