Botswana: The Minister of Trade and Industry, Mmusi Kgafela, said one of the ways to drive the economy forward is through establishing partnerships across industries that create sustainable businesses to meet local demand and position Botswana’s products and services in the international market.
Speaking during the official opening of the Francistown Academic Hospital yesterday, Minister Kgafela implored Batswana to collaborate more effectively amongst themselves in their various sectors to bring about greater innovations to grow the country’s economy.
The Minister added that public-private collaboration remains a key objective on the national developmental agenda. “The benefits of collaborative efforts in Botswana have been most evident through several industry-pioneering developments executed under Botswana Development Corporation Limited (BDC) over its 53-year history”, he added.
Kgafela highlighted that Government continues to undertake and implement the necessary ease-of-doing-business reforms across all business aspects to promote domestic and foreign direct investments. He maintained that his Ministry will continue to play its advocacy role to remove all possible barriers to entry for attracting investors and doing business in Botswana.
He hailed the business community for their continued efforts in realising Botswana’s vision. Kgafela also emphasised that for Botswana to be a global competitor, the private and public sectors must be able to penetrate the local market and the regional and international markets.
Meanwhile, the health service has been identified as another avenue for Botswana to expand and diversify its export base.
The Minister of Health, Dr Edwin Dikoloti, appreciated Botswana Investment and Trade Centre, whose role in attracting foreign direct investment and facilitating partnerships has been instrumental in bringing the Indus Health Care Group to the country.
He added that FAH represents a significant milestone in Botswana’s journey towards accessible and high-quality healthcare. “As a government, we will continue to work closely with the private sector to improve access to health care for all our citizens”, Dikoloti added.
Meanwhile, the FAH Executive Head, Dr Navtej Singh, said the facility is equipped with state-of-the-art medical equipment that complies with the international gold standard. He added that the Hospital is home to a diverse team of full-time, experienced specialist doctors teams.
“The Specialists range from essential services of an Obstetrics & Gynecologist to highly sought after Spinal Surgeon and General Surgeon, Pediatric, Laparoscopic Endoscopic Surgeon. These Specialists are assisted and supported by more than 100 accredited health professionals,” he added.
Dr Singh said an excess of 200 new jobs were created for Batswana, and many micro Batswana-owned enterprises are actively being supported.
He highlighted that they accept all Botswana-based medical aids and most international medical insurances. He said they also accept some Zimbabwe medical aid and are currently engaging the Zambian medical insurance.