The Local Enterprise Authority (LEA) acknowledged Thursday that much more work needs to be done to identify the challenges that impede the growth of local SMME’s so that Government can together with stakeholders find sustainable solutions that will enable their enterprises to flourish.
This effort is aligned to the National Vision 2036 Pillar Number One that states: “Botswana will be a high-income country, with an export-led economy underpinned by diversified, inclusive and sustainable growth driven by high levels of production.”
“It is our utmost objective to ensure that you are capacitated to start and grow businesses that this country will be proud of. The success of your businesses entirely relies on your level of commitment and determination in the uptake of business advisory and other services offered by LEA and other institutions. The implementation of skills and knowledge acquired is very critical for the survival of your enterprises,” said Peggy Serame, Permanent Secretary – Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry.
She said, “Let me urge you to use this Pitso as a platform to establish strategic networks that will benefit your course. Your comments, suggestions and questions are very critical as they assist inform policy and legislation formulation. It also assist us to align with other Ministries and Departments who also provide services that enable you to do business, such that there is synergy and overall improved service delivery.”
Serame encouraged local enterpreneurs to explore other markets in addition to the Botswana market, since Botswana is a small market of around 2million people.
“This also denotes a private sector led economy, and we as Government will continue our facilitatory role of ensuring that the environment is conducive for you as the business community to do business in this country,” said Seramane.
Botswana’s import bill continues to grow year on year, indicating that as a country, Batswana depend on other countries for various commodities, including basics such as foodstuffs, clothing and others.
Government claims it is aware of challenges that SMMEs face, which include among others; limited access to land and operating space, unaffordable pre-start requirements such as the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) costs, stringent access to credit and inability to access markets.
Officials revealed that the much heralded Leather Industry Park that will be built in Lobatse is ongoing. LEA has also been able to complete the Kutla Incubation Centre in Gaborone, which is the 5th incubator under LEA custodianship.
Since resuming training in 2017, the incubator has graduated 56 citizens into the market, having trained on the production of various products, equipped with technical and business management skills that will enable them to set up and operate their businesses, and further employ fellow citizens.
“The reflections and discussions that we had this morning will indeed contribute immensely in determining the entrepreneurship landscape and advancing SMME development in Botswana,” said Oabile Regoeng, LEA Board Vice Chairman.
LEA have an array of interventions, that are targeted at closing the identified gaps and capacitating entrepreneurs or would be entrepreneurs to start and grow their businesses. Its capability model include, business advisory services, training, on site monitoring, facilitation of access to funding, SMME market access and awareness, business incubation and Technology and Innovation adoption. All these are rendered through our network of branches and incubation centres country wide.
Since inception in 2007, the Authority has implemented rolling strategies primarily focusing on implementing programmes and projects that supported the aspirations and goals of employment creation, youth empowerment, import substitution, poverty eradication, and economic diversification.
“Let me take this opportunity to inform this Pitso that we have just developed our new strategy for 2018-2023, that will soon be launched for appreciation by all stakeholders. This strategy aims to offer differentiated services to all identified clusters and segments of enterprises that exist in Botswana, with a view to create a competitive and sustainable pool of enterprises within the targeted period. As LEA, we undertake to execute this strategy with utmost commitment, precision, vigour and agility that resonates with entrepreneurship and SMME demands,” said Dr. Racious M. Moatshe, Chief Executive Officer of LEA.
He said, “Our belief is that each and every enterprise regardless of size, must be offered fit-for-purpose solutions that will see it grow over time into a large entity. This, ladies and gentlemen, is how other economies around the world have managed to build strong industries and multinational companies, hence the theme ‘Empowering Botswana SMMEs in pursuit of Business Development and Economic Diversification.’”
LEA reportedly recognises that the entrepreneurship and SMME development in Botswana is not only within the purview of LEA. In as much as LEA is in the forefront, we are cognisant of the fact that we need to partner and collaborate with other stakeholders and capacity building institutions, such as financiers, regulators and others who provide the much needed markets for SMMEs.
