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Botswana


Botswana in fragile balancing act at EPA talks
Botswana has emerged as the dealmaker in the contentious Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) negotiations aimed at finding middle ground between the European Union on one side and South Africa, Namibia and Angola on the other.
Private sector taps into EU’s P185m fund
The Botswana Confederation of Commerce, Industry and Manpower (BOCCIM) as well as the Botswana Exporters and Manufacturers Association (BEMA), are positioning themselves to tap into the P185 million capacity building facility made available through the Interim Economic Partnership Agreement with the European Union.
Cautionary note on EPAs
Government deserves commendation on the various programmes it has embarked on to diversify the economy away from mining especially diamonds. Such strategies include inter alia 1) the setting up of BEDIA to attract foreign direct investments (FDIs) thus facilitating the growth of the manufacturing sector. 2) The IFSC model which I am highly convinced was a well thought out model considering the geographical situation of this country and of course its population.
SA to give BLS nations ultimatum on EPAs
In the latest twist of events, South Africa is reported to have ‘changed tunes’ and has decided to let Botswana, Lesotho and Swaziland (BLS) ratify their interim Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) with the European Union (EU).
EU signs interim trade deal with 3 S African countries
The European Union signed an interim trade deal on Thursday with the Southern African countries of Botswana, Lesotho and Swaziland.
Botswana hopeful about the EPAs
Botswana is cautiously optimistic about the on going Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) that are being negotiated between the European Union and the Southern African Development Community, despite some snags.
African Trade Zone Welcome, But...
Following the recent establishment of the SADC free trade zone in August, just last week, the leaders of three African trading blocs - SADC, EAC, and Comesa - agreed to create a free trade zone of 26 countries.
Lefhoko urges entrepreneurs to look beyond SACU
The Assistant Minister in the Ministry of Trade and Industry, Duke Lefhoko, has urged manufacturers to widen their marketing scope beyond the Southern African Customs Union (SACU), given the impending new trade arrangements that Botswana is negotiating with other countries.
Botswana agriculture anxious about effect of SADC Free Trade Area
A few days after the Southern African Development Community (SADC) became a free trade area, fears are mounting that the move may spell doom for Botswana’s agricultural industry.
Botswana, UK want fruits of EPAs
While government officials promise the EPAs will bring more jobs and beef market openings for Botswana, Botswana unions believe they are nothing but recolonisation of ACP countries and say ’the EU is coming back to deplete our (African) resources’.
SA envoy clears mist on economic agreements
Short-term benefits brought by Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) should not stand in the way of long term prosperity and integration of the SADC region, says South Africas High Commissioner to Botswana, Mr Dikgang Moopeloa.
EU-SADC interim FTA (2007)
Initialled by Botswana, Lesotho, Swaziland and Mozambique on 23 November 2007
Country is in a Quandary Over EPAs
A Senior Research Fellow at the Botswana Institution of Development Policy Analysis (BIDPA) Dr Joel Sentsho says he hopes current negotiations on the Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) will yield something positive for Botswana.
EPAs Threaten Another ’Scramble for Africa’ - Unionists
Union leaders who met in Palapye for a two-day economic workshop on trade and related issues on Friday likened trade agreements that Botswana and other African countries are entering into with Europe as a new form of colonisation.
Moroka off for EPA talks
Botswana’s Ministry of Trade and Industry has announced that the Minister, Neo Moroka, leaves for South Africa today for the Southern African Development Community (SADC) trade talks.
Govt seeks to amend Botswana trade agreement
Zimbabwe which is fast losing its market niche in the Southern Africa Development Community (Sadc) is seeking amendments to the Bilateral Preferential Trade Agreement (BPTA of 1988) with Botswana in a bid to access markets in the neighbouring nation.
Southern Africa: SADC sets deadline for zero tarrif rates introduction
SADC has set 2008 as the deadline for the introduction of zero tariff rates in accordance with the minimum conditions of a Free Trade Area (FTA).
Botswana: Mogae unhappy with progress on EPAs
President Festus Mogae is unhappy with the pace of the on-going negotiations on the Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) between the European Union (EU) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
SACU/US trade negotiations on
Botswana’s Ministry of Trade and Industry will host a meeting of the Southern African Customs Union and United States (SACU/US) Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations this week in Gaborone.
Botswana forges partnership with Mauritius
Botswana Minister of Trade and Industry, Neo Moroka yesterday signed a bilateral investment treaty on promotion and reciprocal protection on investment with Mauritius envoy, Madan Dulloo.