WORRIED: Lekau
Botswana Unified Revenue Services (BURS) Acting Commissioner General, Segolo Lekau says the country’s various trade agreements have affected Botswana’s tax collection.
In February last year, Botswana signed the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (ACFTA).
While this allowed the country to benefit from inter-regional trade within the continent, Lekau explained it also means trade taxes – tariffs collected on imports – with other African nations were no more.
“This means when we consume within the continent, there are no taxes. As you may be aware, when we consume from the likes of the European Union (EU), as we are also sending our beef there, duty rates have been decreased,” said Lekau.
GENERAL MANAGER: Agnes Khunwana
Air Botswana General Manager (GM), Agnes Khunwana this week defended the airline fares saying they national carrier caters to ordinary Batswana.
Answering a question posed by the chairman of the Committee on Statutory Bodies and State Enterprises member, Aubrey Lesaso who is also Member of Parliament (MP) for Shoshong, Khunwana said it has always been Air Botswana’s intention to make air travel affordable to ordinary Motswana.
“We have been regularly reviewing the fares and engaging the market,” Khunwana told the Committee, further adding that their prices are very competitive.
However, her response was met with doubt from the Committee chair, Dr. Nevah Tshabang who wanted to know when the prices were decreased since there has been uproar about Air Botswana’s steep fares.
OPTIMISTIC: Dr Mokubung Mokubung
SPEDU Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr. Mokubung Mokubung has told the Committee on Statutory Bodies and State Enterprises that he is confident SPEDU is delivering on its mandate.
Appearing before the Committee on Wednesday, Dr. Mokubung said currently SPEDU – a government-owned investment promotion company – works with companies who want to set up in the region until the last stage or gives advice if the project is not viable.
“We are a team of economists, accountants, business advisors, and managers at SPEDU, that is the team,” Dr. Mokubung said when answering a question from the Committee member, Oabile Regoeng who is also a Molepolole North legislator.