Downtown Africa
The Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Dr Thapelo Matsheka says the construction of the P500 million Pioneer One Border Post will have a tangible impact on the economic lives of Botswana and the local economy.
Speaking during the ground breaking ceremony of the facility in Lobatse recently, Dr Matsheka said the project was also significant since it was at the heart of the regional trade along the Trans Kalahari Corridor.
He also said the Pioneer Border Post would increase the South African Development Community(SADC) trade as statistics showed that the border for the past three years had been handling about P6.5 billion worth of imports.
Additionally, Dr Matsheka said the expansion of the border would increase trade flows with South African border more so that it was already developed.
He said the border, to be completed in 2023 would strengthen Botswana Unified Revenue Services (BURS) capability to operate efficiently to enhance revenue mobilization efforts.
On other issues, Dr Matsheka, who is also Lobatse MP hoped that the project would benefit the local community.
‘’My expectation is that the local residents of Lobatse and local suppliers of goods and services will be utilized,” he said.
China Civil Engineering Construction General Manager , Mr Alan Zhu thanked government for the award of the project.
He said their company had been operating in Botswana for the past 35 years.
Mr Zhu said their company was reputable and had successfully completed projects in the country and were confident that they would deliver a high quality project.
He assured the community of Lobatse and surrounding areas that they would engage them in the project.
