In a national plan to encourage and support Citizen owned business, the Trade Act has reserved for citizens of Botswana. One of the promises made by this Government to Batswana during the past elections is its unwavering commitment to citizen economic empowerment and Government is formulating a law on citizen economic empowerment to support the existing Citizen Economic Empowerment (CEE) policy. Over the years, Government has embraced citizen empowerment in its development planning process because of the low citizen participation in economic development in the country.
Among the existing initiatives, include citizen reservation, where only 100 percent citizen owned companies are eligible to participate; price preference where citizen owned companies, joint ventures/associations of citizens and non-citizens and local companies are eligible for preference; and mandatory subcontracting to citizen owned companies. Furthermore, CEE Policy makes it mandatory for non-citizen contractors awarded Government contracts to sub-contract a minimum of 40 percent of works to citizen- owned companies, and transfer skills to sub-contracted citizen-owned companies.
Brand Botswana supports citizen owned business
The other existing citizen economic initiatives include: the Economic Diversification Drive (EDD), where procurement is reserved for local manufacturers and service providers regardless of citizenship; Local Procurement Scheme (LPS), which facilitates economic development in rural areas using public procurement in line with the CEE Policy. The objective is to empower women, youth and people living with disability in general, and specifically in the rural areas in line with Section 66(3) of the PPAD Act.
With regards to participation of citizens in the tourism sector, Government reserves some licenses for citizen operators only.
To further enhance meaningful participation of citizens in the tourism sector, Government has reserved certain concessions for allocation to citizens only. Furthermore, a number of marketing initiatives have been undertaken to facilitate the private sector to sell tourism packages to the world and to create awareness of Botswana as a tourist destination.
Government has also developed a Consolidated Framework for Empowerment Programmes. A key feature of this Framework is the proposal to separate economic empowerment programmes and social upliftment schemes, which will be critical in promoting entrepreneurship development and enterprise development.
The Framework acknowledges the relevance and importance of social upliftment towards developing sustainable livelihood. However, this model puts more emphasis on entrepreneurship to address unemployment, economic growth, poverty eradication and economic diversification.
The following business types are currently reserved for citizens
1. Auctioneer’s licence;
2. Car wash licence;
3. Cleaning Services licence;
4. Curio Shop licence;
5. Fresh Produce licence;
6. Funeral Parlour licence;
7. General Clothing licence;
8. General dealer’s licence;
9. Hairdresser’s licence;
10. Hire Services licence;
11. Laundromat licence;
12. Petrol Filling Station; and Takeaway licence
Application Requirements for Trade Licences
1. A completed application Form and application fee of P100.
2. Copy of Certificate of Incorporation for a company or registration certificate in case of individuals or partnership applicant.
3. Certified copies of CIPA documents -Form 2, Form 4, Form 8, Form13, Form 14, and Form 15 and copies of share certificates of the company directors and shareholders.
4. Proof of availability of business premises -written undertaking lease in lieu of agreement or tittle deed.
5. Certified copies of valid Omang for citizens, and passport for non-citizen Directors and Shareholders
6. Certified copies of valid work and residence permits for non-citizen managers.
7. A covering letter explaining how the business would operate and provide itemized list of goods or services.
8. Satisfactory Physical Planner’s report for zoning of the plot.
9. Satisfactorily Environmental Health report for the business premises from District Council Health Inspectors
10. Drug and Regulatory Inspection report in case of Pharmaceutical Products and Pharmacy licence (Ministry of Health Quarters)
11. Clearance letter from Bureau of Standards (BOBS) in case of filing station or of a Liquid Petroleum Gas seller.
Visit your area City Council Offices for assistance.
Please take a look at the amazing range of products available through the PUSHABW Store on Skymartbw.