Sello Motseta
16th June 2020
The Minister of Trade, Investment and Industry has revealed the South African Customs Union(SACU) Agreement allows for member states to waive customs duty on products coming from outside the Common Customs Area under rebate item 412.11 to relief distress in cases of national disaster.
This allows for the cheaper access to essential supplies for both enterprises and the end user being the ordinary citizens of Botswana. A list will be published listing the products for which enterprises can apply for the rebate this coming week of the 15th June 2020.
The list of products include medical and pharmaceutical supplies, food, grain for milling, veterinary medication, raw sugar for industrial use, inputs for textile industry and motor vehicle(ambulances).
“In the two months since the region went into lockdown we have experienced difficulties in securing the undisturbed and other transit of goods through our borders with the ports we use for importation of goods,” said Peggy Serame, Minister of Trade, Investment and Industry.
She said, “Throughout we have been in constant negotiations to ease the free passage of goods. To this end, a major achievement has been realized in that RSA have revoked the requirement for an export permit for medical supplies going into Botswana and other SADC countries. To this end, we hope that security of supplies for our health facilities will be unimpaired.”
According to officials bottle stores will be open between 8am to 4pm from Monday to Wednesday as well as between 8am and 12 noon on Saturday. This is a shift from 10am to 6pm from Wednesday to Friday and 10am to 4pm Saturday under previous lockdown conditions.
Bars and nightclubs will be open on Wednesday to Friday between 10am to 7pm and 10am to 4 pm on Saturday. This represents a shift from 10am to 6pm between Wednesday and Friday and 10am to 4pm on Saturday to ensure access during later parts of the day.
Bars in restaurants including hotels will now be allowed to sell alcohol daily between 12 noon and 8pm. Online consumption will be allowed for customers during these revised hours. Liquor depots will be able to sell alcohol between 10 am to 7pm from Wednesday to Friday and between 10am and 4pm on Saturday, to ensure access to the product.
Distributor and wholesalers will be allowed to sell alcohol beverages between 8am and 4pm on Monday to Thursday. Temporary liquor outlets will be closed due to restrictions on gatherings.
Mothusi Molokomme, Chairman of the Botswana Alcohol Industry Association (BAIA) and Managing Director of Distell Botswana said, “We are in the new normal we will therefore encourage e-commerce platforms; members to engage youth businesses to develop apps, grocery concept for selling alcohol via home deliveries etc.”
He said, “Awareness campaign on-going urging compliance & drink @ home message. BAIA is also providing bars with safety kits (Masks, sanitizers, signage for use in the outlets – criteria to be developed)”
According to Molokomme, the industry employs between 15,000 to 17,000 employees directly with dependent industries adding 45,000 more. Alcohol Industry was amongst the first to close – Bars/ Liquor Rest (20th March) and general sales ban (28th March).
