Business Botswana calls for consumer advocacy body
Business Botswana CEO, Norman Moleele has called for the establishment of an advocacy body to speak on behalf of consumers on issues such as taxes.
At the start of the month, the Government hiked Value Added Tax (VAT) from 12 percent to 14 percent, as well as introducing various others taxes and levies.
“These taxes end up hitting the consumer’s pockets. The unfortunate thing about our country is that we don’t have a strong consumer movement which can stand up against these issues,” declared the BB Chief Executive Officer.
Moleele explained that in some countries ratepayer associations are elected into councils to ensure the voice of the ratepayer is heard.
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DONE DEAL: The signing ceremony
Botswana Council of Non-Governmental Organisation (BOCONGO) and Business Botswana (BB) have agreed to join forces in the fight against rising incidents of corruption.
Speaking at the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Friday, BOCONGO Executive Director Monametsi Sokwe expressed concern at the growing corruption trends in the country.
“I believe it is important for the private sector, civil societies, and the government, through the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crimes (DCEC) to fight and eliminate corruption. In addition, this agreement comprises of two aspects; we want to make use of the available resources within the civil societies so that it becomes sustainable and the second aspect is to fight corruption and economic crime, by exploring areas of common interest and models through this partnership,” he said.