26 August 2008
editorial
The newly opened can manufacturing plant in Lobatse opens a new chapter - and we hope it will be a long and prosperous one - in the history of this country.
Various attempts to try and diversify the country's economy from the mineral driven economy have not been very successful in the past and our hope is that this time it will be different.
The can manufacturing plant is yet another attempt to try and achieve the elusive economic diversification.
With P126 million invested in the ambitious project, it is expected that it will produce cans, not only to supply the local market, but also to supply other countries.
According to officials of the company, they are already getting orders from South Africa, Zimbabwe and Mauritius. There are possibilities that some orders could come from Namibia and hopefully other markets, including overseas.
This is a breakthrough that the country needs. Most companies in Botswana are in-ward looking and are seldom concerned about the expansive market outside. That is mediocrity and it should be shunned.
The Can Manufacturers Company will bring the much needed foreign exchange into the country. In addition, the company will inspire other Batswana that Botswana companies can also succeed in the manufacturing and export market.
It is gratifying that the company has been set up in the town of Lobatse, which is slowly becoming a ghost town owing to the flight of industry from the town. This initiative will help to revitalise the ailing economy of the town.
It is even commendable that the Botswana Meat Commission, which is the mainstay of the town has committed itself to buying the cans from this plant.
It is worrying though, that with such a huge investment, the industry is only able to employ about 30 people. Although the plant is said to be heavily capital intensive, we believe that once it experiences growth, it will employ more people. There is no doubt that the spin offs in the long term will benefit the Lobatse community.
The other positive thing about this investment is that the project is radically different from the circuitous and similar business ideas that seem to have come from the same mould.
This should encourage other Batswana to try and come up with creative business proposals that could exploit the local and international market.
The time for support and patronage for business ideas merely because they are indigenous has run its course. In this era, business ideas should be supported because they are national and world beaters.
As a nation, we should have the belief or cultivate the idea that Batswana can come up with innovations that can compete in the global arena.
This is what helped turn the Japanese, Chinese, Indian, American, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Israel, Singapore and other 'Asian Tigers' into the world beaters that they are.
If we follow the same trend we will be on course.
Today's Thought
Open markets offer the only realistic hope of pulling billions of people in developing countries out of abject poverty, while sustaining prosperity in the industrialized world. - Kofi Annan
Be the first to Write a Comment!
Copyright © 2008 Mmegi/The Reporter. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). To contact the copyright holder directly for corrections — or for permission to republish or make other authorized use of this material, click here.
AllAfrica aggregates and indexes content from over 125 African news organizations, plus more than 200 other sources, who are responsible for their own reporting and views. Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica.
