Estratégia de direcionamento da diversificação econômica botswana

Botswana e o BAD.
A cooperação entre o Banco Africano de Desenvolvimento) e o Botsuana data de 1972. Em outubro de 2012, o Banco havia financiado 50 operações (41 projetos de empréstimo, sete operações de apoio institucional e dois estudos) avaliados em aproximadamente US $ 2,1 bilhões. Os projetos financiados pelo Banco são principalmente nas áreas de infraestrutura (energia, transporte, água e saneamento, comunicação), agricultura, finanças e multissetorial. A Estratégia do Grupo do Banco Mundial para o Botsuana, abrangendo o período 2009-2013, está focada no apoio a ações para expandir o investimento do setor privado e melhorar o desenvolvimento de infraestrutura para aumentar a competitividade e o crescimento.
A economia de Botswana manteve taxas de crescimento elevadas e louváveis, em média de mais de cinco por cento, desde a independência em 1966 até 2008, impulsionadas pelas exportações de diamantes. O notável desempenho foi interrompido pela crise financeira global de 2008/09, mas se recuperou fortemente, registrando taxas de crescimento do PIB de 7,0% e 5,1% em 2010 e 2011, respectivamente. As altas taxas de crescimento refletem a gestão prudente da política econômica do país e a recuperação da demanda mundial de diamantes, a principal commodity de exportação. Embora o Botswana esteja experimentando uma alta taxa de inflação acima do objetivo do Banco de Botswana de três a seis por cento, a melhora na oferta de alimentos, a persistente baixa demanda doméstica e uma política monetária robusta estão entre os fatores por trás de seu maior declínio de 9,2 por cento. Dezembro de 2011 a 7,1% em setembro de 2012.
A perspectiva econômica do Botswana no médio prazo é amplamente dependente da demanda mundial por diamantes, que responde por mais de 80% de suas exportações totais e por cerca de 30% da receita do governo. Após a atual crise financeira na zona do euro e o lento crescimento nos países asiáticos, a demanda por diamantes desacelerou, levando a uma produção menor que a esperada de diamantes. Para este fim, o crescimento do PIB em 2012 deverá moderar-se para cerca de 4 por cento, antes de aumentar a médio prazo para cerca de 4,5 por cento até 2015. A deslocação planeada da actividade de separação e venda de diamantes da De Beers de Londres para o Botswana por O final de 2013 deverá impulsionar as atividades econômicas, especialmente as exportações de diamantes lapidados. As perspectivas de inflação deverão moderar-se ligeiramente acima do intervalo de objectivos do Banco do Botswana, auxiliado pela restrição da procura apoiada pela consolidação orçamental, especialmente nos salários do sector público.
A recuperação econômica do Botswana também dependerá da implementação bem sucedida da Estratégia Nacional de Diversificação Econômica (EDD) 2009-2016. A estratégia de EDD pretende diversificar as fontes de crescimento económico e rendimento do Botswana de forma a que o país se torne mais dependente de todos os setores da economia, caracterizado pela diversificação de produtos e mercados. A estratégia de EDD está ancorada em sete áreas temáticas que abrangem todas as esferas e impulsionadores da economia, com o setor privado deverá desempenhar um papel importante na transformação da economia.

Estratégias de direcionamento da diversificação econômica na Botsuana
A diversificação econômica é geralmente tomada como o processo no qual uma gama crescente de produtos econômicos é produzida. Pode também referir-se à diversificação de mercados para exportações ou à diversificação de fontes de rendimento longe das atividades econômicas domésticas (isto é, renda de investimento estrangeiro).
A diversificação econômica em seu uso padrão, seja em termos da diversidade de atividades ou mercados econômicos, é uma questão significativa para muitos países em desenvolvimento, já que suas economias geralmente são caracterizadas pela falta delas. Tradicionalmente, eles dependem muito da produção de produtos primários que são predominantemente vulneráveis ​​à variabilidade e mudança do clima.
Atividades e resultados da segunda fase (2008 & ndash; 2010) incluem:
Submissões (disponível no documento FCCC / SBSTA / 2009 / MISC.6) pelas Partes e organizações relevantes com informações adicionais sobre exemplos de medidas, metodologias e ferramentas para aumentar a resiliência econômica às mudanças climáticas e reduzir a dependência de setores econômicos vulneráveis, inclusive por meio da diversificação econômica (até 20 de março de 2009). Workshop técnico sobre como aumentar a resiliência econômica às mudanças climáticas e reduzir a dependência de setores econômicos vulneráveis, inclusive por meio da diversificação econômica (solicitado pelo SBSTA antes de sua trigésima sessão, junho de 2009)
Atividades e resultados da primeira fase (até junho de 2008) incluem:
Submissões por Partes e organizações relevantes. Relatório de síntese com base nas informações contidas nas submissões.
O trabalho na área de diversificação econômica pode contribuir para os esforços das Partes e organizações para:
Trocar experiências e oportunidades no desenvolvimento e disseminação de medidas, metodologias e ferramentas que visem aumentar a resiliência econômica; Trocar experiências e lições aprendidas na diversificação econômica, incluindo maneiras de desenvolver a capacidade institucional e melhorar a compreensão de como a diversificação econômica pode ser integrada aos planos de desenvolvimento sustentável, especialmente aqueles que promovem o crescimento econômico sustentável e a erradicação da pobreza.
O SBSTA convidou as Partes e organizações relevantes a enviar ao Secretariado, até 17 de agosto de 2007, informações sobre exemplos de medidas, metodologias e ferramentas para aumentar a resiliência econômica e reduzir a dependência de setores vulneráveis.
Foram recebidas observações de cinco partes (Bolívia, Japão, Nova Zelândia, Portugal, em nome da Comunidade Europeia e da Arábia Saudita). As submissões também foram recebidas de duas organizações: a Secretaria da Convenção sobre Diversidade Biológica e uma organização não-governamental, a Confederação Internacional de Sindicatos (ITUC). As submissões podem ser acessadas abaixo.
Informações sobre diversificação econômica. Envios das Partes.
Informações sobre diversificação econômica. Envios de organizações relevantes.
O SBSTA também solicitou ao secretariado que preparasse um relatório de síntese com base nas submissões, que pode ser encontrado abaixo:
Síntese das informações sobre diversificação econômica apresentadas pelas Partes e organizações relevantes. Nota pelo secretariado.
Progresso na implementação.
Workshop técnico sobre como aumentar a resiliência econômica às mudanças climáticas e reduzir a dependência de setores econômicos vulneráveis ​​Cairo, Egito, 28 a 30 de abril de 2009.

Departamento de Estado dos E. U.A.
Diplomacia em ação.
Declaração do Clima de Investimento 2015 - Botsuana.
Botsuana é um país conectado à terra localizado na África Austral. Botsuana tem desfrutado historicamente entre as maiores taxas de crescimento econômico do mundo e sua economia voltada para exportação está altamente correlacionada com as tendências econômicas globais. O desenvolvimento tem sido impulsionado principalmente pela receita da indústria de diamantes, que permitiu ao Botswana fornecer infra-estrutura, como transporte e serviços sociais. Durante os 12 meses anteriores a setembro de 2014, a economia do Botswana cresceu 4,2% e a inflação permaneceu na extremidade inferior do espectro de 3% a 6% do banco central. Segundo o Governo do Botswana (GOB), os investimentos no Botswana totalizaram US $ 4 bilhões em 2012. De acordo com a escala de rating do Banco Mundial, a renda per capita do Botswana de US $ 7.730 a torna mais alta do que a maioria dos outros países da região subsaariana. países. Em dezembro de 2014, Moody's e S & P classificaram a dívida soberana do Botswana como A2 e A-, respectivamente.
Botsuana é um país estável e democrático, com um sistema judiciário independente. Ele mantém um ambiente macroeconômico estável, disciplina fiscal, um sistema bancário bem capitalizado e um sistema sensato de taxa de câmbio de rastreabilidade. A corrupção no Botswana continua menos difundida do que em outras partes da África; no entanto, empresas estrangeiras e nacionais comentaram uma crescente corrupção relacionada à concorrência, em que policiais coniventes manipulam o processo. O GOB lançou iniciativas para promover o investimento estrangeiro em setores-chave, a fim de diversificar sua economia para além da indústria de diamantes e criou o Centro de Investimento e Comércio do Botswana para ajudar os investidores locais e estrangeiros neste empreendimento. O Botswana é um estado membro da convenção do ICSID e da convenção de Nova York de 1958.
Apesar do compromisso de atrair investimentos, as políticas do governo brasileiro nem sempre facilitam as operações de negócios estrangeiros em Botsuana. Atualmente, eles não têm um arcabouço legal consolidado que esclareça as proteções e incentivos oferecidos aos investidores e que existem limitações à participação estrangeira no mercado. Pelo menos vinte empresas diferentes do setor de serviços são reservadas para os nacionais. Complementar a isso são as preferências institucionalizadas de adquirir bens e serviços de fontes de propriedade dos cidadãos. Os gerentes citam déficits de habilidades locais, baixa produtividade do trabalho e desafios para obter permissões de trabalho para trabalhadores estrangeiros como principais restrições de negócios em Botsuana. Os obstáculos burocráticos e a escassez de água e electricidade também dificultam a actividade económica no Botsuana e o número crescente de empresas estatais (SOEs) e de participações no mercado do governo dispersam o sector privado. O GOB está procurando melhorar seus processos alfandegários e de aquisições com a assistência da USAID e da Agência de Comércio e Desenvolvimento dos EUA.
O Banco Mundial classificou o Botsuana em 74 das 189 economias na categoria de Facilidade de Fazer Negócios. As principais oportunidades de investimento incluem grandes projetos de infraestrutura de água, eletricidade, transporte e telecomunicações que o governo brasileiro tem planos de implementar. A maior parte das atividades econômicas fora do setor de diamantes é impulsionada por aquisições governamentais e o GOB tem um orçamento de aproximadamente US $ 5 bilhões para o ano fiscal de 2015. Especialistas econômicos notaram que o Botswana tem um potencial considerável em áreas como: setores de beneficiamento de mineração, eletricidade, indústria de carne, turismo e serviços financeiros.
1. Abertura e Restrições ao Investimento Estrangeiro.
Atitude em relação ao investimento estrangeiro direto.
O GOB enfatiza publicamente a importância de atrair investimento direto estrangeiro (IDE). O GOB lançou iniciativas para promover a atividade econômica e o investimento estrangeiro em áreas específicas, incluindo o estabelecimento de polos para promover o crescimento econômico nos setores de agricultura, diamantes, educação, saúde e transporte. Oportunidades de investimento adicionais em Botswana incluem grande infraestrutura de água, eletricidade, transporte e telecomunicações. O Botswana importa a maioria dos seus produtos para consumo; alimentos, roupas, eletrodomésticos, equipamentos de mineração e matérias-primas.
Em 2012, o Ministério do Comércio e Indústria (MTI) elaborou um documento de posição para uma proposta de Lei de Facilitação de Investimentos e solicitou uma Revisão da Política de Investimento da OCDE para informar suas discussões sobre a consolidação de um regime legal para investimento. Aboliu todos os controles cambiais, instituiu baixas alíquotas de imposto corporativo e o Centro de Investimento e Comércio do Botswana oferece assistência a investidores estrangeiros (seção de incentivos a investimentos de referência). Apesar do desejo de atrair investimentos estrangeiros, certas políticas do governo não facilitam a realização de negócios por empresas estrangeiras.
Outras revisões da política de investimentos.
Em dezembro de 2014, a Organização para Cooperação e Desenvolvimento Econômico (OCDE) divulgou uma Revisão da Política de Investimentos em Botsuana. (oecd-ilibrary / finanças-e-investimento / oecd-investimento-política-revisões-botswana-2014_9789264203365-en).
O Botswana é uma Organização Mundial do Comércio (OMC) desde 1995. Como membro da União Aduaneira da África Austral (SACU), a OMC realizou, em 2009, uma revisão da política comercial (wto / english / tratop_e / tpr_e / tp322_e. htm)
Leis / Regulamentos do Investimento Directo Estrangeiro.
De acordo com a Lei de Empresas de Botswana, os estrangeiros que desejam operar uma empresa devem registrar-se, bem como obter as licenças e autorizações relevantes, conforme prescrito pela Lei de Comércio de 2008.
As licenças são necessárias para um amplo espectro de negócios, incluindo serviços financeiros bancários, não bancários, transporte, serviços médicos, mineração, fornecimento de energia e vendas de álcool. Embora recentes emendas à Lei de Comércio tenham eliminado a categoria de todas as licenças de negócios diversas, os investidores informaram que as autoridades locais insistem que uma empresa solicita uma licença, mesmo quando não se enquadra nas categorias estabelecidas. Além disso, algumas empresas observaram que a imposição de licenças, bem como o tempo necessário para que as inspeções cumpram com os requisitos de licenciamento, varia muito entre as autoridades do governo local. Os processos do Botswana para obter uma licença de construção são longos (uma média de 110 dias), além de precisar completar vinte etapas separadas. A Embaixada dos EUA continua a se envolver com o GOB para destacar esses e outros desafios de licenciamento.
O Centro de Investimento e Comércio do Botswana serve como um recurso útil ao registrar uma empresa e obter licenças e autorizações. O MTI também fornece orientação sobre o processo de registro de uma empresa em seu site (mti. gov. bw/businessregistration).
A Estratégia Nacional de Exportação do GOB identifica oito setores prioritários para o crescimento: (1) artes e artesanato; (2) roupas; (3) têxteis; (4) joias; (5) processamento mineral (incluindo diamantes); (6) produtos de vidro e vidro; (7) couro e produtos de couro; e (8) carne bovina. O Economic Diversification Drive, um programa do governo usado para implementar uma estratégia para diversificar a economia além da indústria de diamantes, acrescentou cinco outras áreas: (9) energia renovável; (10) produtos de material reciclado; (11) serviços auxiliares de apoio; (12) bancos, finanças e seguros; e, (13) construção / construção.
Limites no controle estrangeiro.
O Botswana reserva algumas licenças exclusivamente para cidadãos, incluindo açougues, estabelecimentos comerciais gerais, postos de gasolina, lojas de bebidas alcoólicas, supermercados (excluindo cadeias de lojas), bares (exceto aqueles associados a hotéis), certos tipos de restaurantes, boutiques, leiloeiros, lavagens de carros, serviços de limpeza doméstica, lojas de curiosidades, vendedores de produtos frescos, casas funerárias, cabeleireiros, vários tipos de serviços de locação / locação, lavanderias, tipos específicos de projetos de construção do governo com certa quantia em dólares, certas atividades relacionadas à construção e manutenção de rodovias e ferrovias e certos tipos de atividades de fabricação, incluindo a produção de móveis para escolas, soldagem e alvenaria.
O MTI reportou ao Comitê Nacional de Doing Business (NDBC) em 2015 que permitiria que os estrangeiros começassem a operar um número indeterminado de setores de negócios atualmente limitados aos cidadãos de Batsuana.
O MTI, que administra a iniciativa de participação do cidadão, tomou uma interpretação expansiva do termo cadeias de lojas, de modo que engloba qualquer loja com mais de um ponto de venda. Essa ampla interpretação resultou na necessidade de aplicar isenções a certos supermercados, operações especializadas simples e lojas de comércio geral. Consequentemente, muitos grandes mercados de mercadorias em geral, restaurantes e redes de supermercados são de propriedade de estrangeiros.
O GOB representou-se profundamente comprometido com a privatização, chegando a reunir uma força-tarefa em 1997. Essa força-tarefa aprovou os regulamentos em 2000 para privatizar todas as suas empresas estatais; e formou uma Agência de Avaliação e Privatização de Empresas Públicas (PEEPA) para supervisionar este processo. Na prática, nenhuma das entidades estatais (SOE), conhecidas como para-estatais, foi privatizada e o GOB expandiu suas estatais nos últimos anos. Em 2012, o GOB criou a Companhia de Diamantes de Okavango e a Companhia de Desenvolvimento Mineral de Botsuana, a fim de supervisionar suas participações na indústria mineral. Em 2014, o GOB adquiriu operações para formar um centro de mineração sob uma grande estratégia de diversificação econômica, chamada Polaris II, e lançou o Botswana Oil Limited para administrar o fornecimento de combustível do país.
Depois de mais de 12 anos de esforços e várias tentativas de chegar a um acordo de privatização com relação à companhia aérea estatal, a Air Botswana, até hoje a companhia continua sendo parte do GOB. As privatizações de seis outras organizações estatais, incluindo a Botswana Telecommunications Corporation (BTC) e o Banco Nacional de Desenvolvimento, também estão atrasadas. Em setembro de 2014, o GOB anunciou que realizaria uma oferta pública inicial para vender 49% de suas atuais participações na BTC apenas para cidadãos nacionais e empresas de propriedade de cidadãos, mantendo 51%. Desde que foi anunciado em 2014, GOB adiou esta oferta pública inicial em três ocasiões separadas. Nenhuma nova data foi anunciada.
A capacidade do PEEPA para gerenciar a privatização de empresas estatais é dificultada pela falta de legislação correspondente para fazer cumprir o processo. Como resultado, a decisão de privatizar, e a velocidade com que é feito, permanece a critério do ministério ou departamento.
O Centro de Investimento e Comércio do Botswana analisa o investimento directo estrangeiro (IDE) no Botswana ao avaliar se deve ajudar os investidores.
O Botswana desenvolveu legislação e políticas anti-trust para garantir a concorrência apropriada no ambiente de negócios. Nos termos da Lei da Concorrência, a recém-criada Autoridade da Concorrência está agora a monitorizar fusões e aquisições. Entre abril de 2013 e março de 2014, a Autoridade da Concorrência investigou 61 casos de alegadas práticas de monopólio. A Autoridade da Concorrência está habilitada a rejeitar as fusões quando estas não são consideradas do melhor interesse público. A Autoridade da Concorrência interpretou esta capacidade como significando que pode proibir as fusões quando o resultado final é a concentração da maioria das ações nas mãos de investidores estrangeiros.
O GOB declarou seu desejo de atrair investimentos estrangeiros adicionais, mas suas políticas existentes nem sempre facilitam o trabalho das empresas estrangeiras. Não existe uma estrutura legal consolidada para esclarecer as proteções e incentivos concedidos aos investidores e as limitações à participação estrangeira no mercado. O Manual do Investidor do Botswana 2014 (botswana. usembassy. gov/economic_information_reports. html) publicado pelo Centro de Investimento e Comércio (BITC) lança alguma luz sobre aspectos do quadro de investimento. Os partidos políticos do Botswana enfatizam a importância do empoderamento dos cidadãos, um termo intercambiável que se refere à segurança social ou à criação de políticas econômicas que criam novas oportunidades para seus cidadãos. Mais de vinte empresas no setor de serviços são reservadas exclusivamente para os cidadãos. A Política de Empoderamento Econômico para Cidadãos de 2012 enfatizou a preferência por empresas locais. Em outubro de 2014, o GOB e a Câmara de Minas criaram um comitê para supervisionar a compra de suprimentos de mineração com preferência para aqueles produzidos localmente.
O Botswana baixou oito lugares no Relatório Doing Business de 2015 para 74 de 189 devido à deterioração de procedimentos como pagamento de impostos, abertura de empresas, registro de propriedades e sua baixa classificação no comércio transfronteiriço . Procedimentos burocráticos onerosos, além do racionamento de água, falta de energia e infra-estrutura fraca dificultam a atividade econômica. O Ministério do Trabalho e Assuntos Internos negou permissão a um grande número de trabalhadores estrangeiros qualificados sem fornecer qualquer explicação, incitando as câmaras de comércio estrangeiras a expressar preocupação sobre sua capacidade de estabelecer ou manter operações comerciais dentro do país. Em 2014, o GOB aumentou sua participação de mercado adquirindo operações de mineração privadas e lançando o novo Botswana Oil Limited, de propriedade estatal, para administrar o suprimento de combustível do país. A principal câmara de comércio do Botswana falou em resposta contra o crescente número de empresas estatais do governo, observando que isso afasta o setor privado.
No último ano, o GOB tomou medidas para melhorar o clima de investimento. Se implementadas, essas reformas facilitariam o investimento no Botswana; entretanto, a implementação de reformas planejadas pelo GoB tem historicamente defasado. Em maio de 2014, o parlamento aprovou uma Lei de Comunicações Eletrônicas e Transações, criada para simplificar os procedimentos, criando um sistema on-line centralizado para armazenar e aprovar documentos. O GOB também começou a conceder isenção de licença para empresas em 2014 e declarou que removerá em 2015 os requisitos para licenças que não estão relacionadas à saúde ou segurança. Em janeiro de 2015, o Gabinete do GOB aprovou a criação da Janela Única Nacional do Botswana, que permite que traders internacionais enviem documentos regulatórios em um único local, a fim de facilitar o comércio. Em março de 2015, os Serviços de Receita Unificada do Botswana estavam consultando o setor privado sobre uma proposta para alterar a Lei de Imposto Aduaneiro e de Impostos Especiais, com o objetivo de simplificar os procedimentos e reduzir os custos de importação e exportação. O Centro para o Comércio da África Austral da USAID prestou assistência técnica ao GOB durante o processo de elaboração.
O MTI informou ao Comitê Nacional de Doing Business (NDBC) em março de 2015 que aprovou um conjunto de reformas de negócios sem precedentes em dezembro de 2014. As principais mudanças apresentadas incluem a criação de um corpo de juízes comerciais especializados no sistema de tribunais civis, simplificando o registro de propriedades. e permitir que os estrangeiros operem em um número indeterminado de setores de negócios atualmente limitados a cidadãos Batswana. O MTI relatou ao NDBC que o governo brasileiro implementaria as reformas administrativas incluídas no pacote até o final de 2015 e as reformas legais até o final de 2016. O governo brasileiro também está considerando a implementação de um roteiro de reforma de aquisições com a Agência de Comércio e Desenvolvimento dos EUA. Global Procurement Initiative: Entendendo o programa de assistência técnica Best Value.
Índice de Percepção de Corrupção de TI.
Relatório Doing Business do Banco Mundial - Facilidade de Fazer Negócios & rdquo;
Índice de Inovação Global.
Banco Mundial per capita.
2. Políticas de Conversão e Transferência.
Não existem controlos cambiais no Botswana ou restrições às saídas de capital através de instituições financeiras. Os bancos comerciais devem garantir que os clientes preencham formulários básicos que indiquem nome, endereço, propósito e outros detalhes antes de processar solicitações de transferência de fundos ou solicitações de empréstimo. O Ministério das Finanças monitora os dados coletados nos formulários de informações estatísticas sobre os fluxos de capital, mas o formulário não exige a aprovação do governo antes do processamento de uma transação e não adia as transferências de capital.
Para encorajar o investimento de carteira, desenvolver mercados de capitais internos e diversificar instrumentos de investimento, os não residentes podem negociar e emitir obrigações denominadas Botswana Pula com prazos de vencimento superiores a um ano, desde que tais instrumentos sejam cotados na Botswana Stock Exchange ( BSE). O Certificado de Poupança de Letlole do Botswana (equivalente a um título do Tesouro dos EUA) só pode ser adquirido por cidadãos do Botswana. Os estrangeiros só podem deter ações em empresas do Botswana listadas na BSE.
Os viajantes não estão restritos à quantidade de moeda que podem carregar, mas devem declarar à alfândega no porto de embarque qualquer quantia em dinheiro superior a 10.000 BWP (US $ 1.200). Não há limites quantitativos sobre o acesso em moeda estrangeira para transações em conta corrente.
Contas bancárias denominadas em moeda estrangeira são permitidas no Botswana. Os bancos comerciais oferecem contas denominadas em dólares americanos, libras esterlinas, euros e rands sul-africanos. As empresas e outros organismos constituídos ou registados a nível nacional podem abrir contas sem a aprovação prévia do Banco do Botsuana. O governo também permite a emissão de empréstimos denominados em moeda estrangeira.
Após o desinvestimento por um não-residente, o não-residente recebe repatriação imediata de todas as receitas, incluindo lucros, aluguéis, taxas, etc.
O Botswana Pula (BWP) tem uma taxa de câmbio cambiável e está ligado a uma cesta de moedas composta pelo rand sul-africano, ponderada em 50 por cento, com os Direitos Especiais de Saque do FMI (consistindo do dólar americano, do euro, Libra esterlina e iene japonês) compreendendo os outros 50%. O Banco do Botswana reduziu a ponderação do rand sul-africano de 55% para 50% em janeiro de 2015. O BWP continua a ser fortemente influenciado pelos movimentos do rand sul-africano em relação ao dólar americano. Não há dificuldade em obter divisas. A escassez de divisas que levaria os bancos a bloquear transações é altamente improvável.
Em 2014, a Agência de Inteligência Financeira do Ministério da Fazenda (FIA) começou a processar relatórios de transações suspeitas. A FIA está preparada para auxiliar o Serviço de Polícia do Botswana, a Direção de Corrupção e Crime Econômico e o Ministério Público para identificar e investigar infrações de lavagem de dinheiro. Sob a supervisão da FIA, os bancos do Batswana começaram a melhorar as práticas de combate à lavagem de dinheiro, introduzindo sistemas de conformidade de AML. Além disso, em 2014, o Parlamento aprovou a Lei Contra o Terrorismo e a Lei sobre os Processos e Instrumentos do Crime, cumprindo os requisitos do Grupo de Trabalho contra o Branqueamento de Capitais da África Oriental e Austral (ESAAMLG). O Botswana esteve anteriormente sob monitorização reforçada pela ESAAMLG antes de introduzir estas reformas.
Não aplicável / informação não disponível.
3. Expropriação e Compensação.
A Seção 8 da Constituição do país proíbe a nacionalização da propriedade privada. O GOB nunca adotou uma política de nacionalização forçada e é altamente improvável que adote uma. A Lei de Aquisição de Propriedade fornece um processo para qualquer expropriação, incluindo parâmetros para determinar o valor de mercado e receber compensação. A Emenda de 2007 à Lei do Fornecimento de Energia Elétrica permite que o Governo brasileiro revogue a licença de um Produtor Independente de Energia e confisque as operações com remuneração para fins de interesse público.
Sistema Jurídico, Tribunais Especializados, Independência Judicial, Julgamentos de Tribunais Estrangeiros.
A Constituição local prevê um sistema judiciário independente. O sistema legal do Botswana é baseado na lei romano-holandesa como influenciado pela lei comum inglesa. Este tipo de sistema coabita com a legislação, as decisões judiciais e o direito consuetudinário local. Os tribunais aplicam corretamente os contratos comerciais, e o sistema judicial é amplamente considerado justo. Investidores estrangeiros e nacionais têm acesso igual ao sistema judicial. O Botswana não tem um tribunal comercial dedicado. O Tribunal Industrial instituído pelo Trade Dispute Act de 2004 aborda principalmente questões trabalhistas.
Como parte do pacote de reformas de dezembro de 2014 que o MTI apresentou ao Comitê Nacional de Doing Business, o GOB está planejando criar um corpo de juízes comerciais especializados dentro do sistema judicial civil. Sob o novo sistema, os casos comerciais serão supervisionados por juízes comerciais, a fim de agilizar o manuseio e garantir conhecimentos relevantes. O GoB planeja implementar essas mudanças até o final de 2016; no entanto, a implementação das reformas planejadas pelo GoB tem historicamente defasado.
Os litigantes dos EUA reclamaram que o tempo necessário para obter e executar uma sentença em uma disputa comercial é injustificadamente longo. O tempo de resposta para casos civis é de aproximadamente dois anos. Em um esforço para criar decisões mais eficientes, o governo estabeleceu tribunais fundiários, industriais, pequenas causas e tribunais de corrupção. Durante os últimos anos, alguns boletos melhoraram, mas o progresso foi desigual.
As leis locais são acessíveis através do site do Procurador Geral do Botswana (laws. gov. bw). Pode levar até 24 meses para que uma lei, uma vez aprovada, apareça no site.
As leis comerciais e de falência do Botswana são abrangentes. Credores garantidos e não garantidos gozam de direitos semelhantes nos termos do processo de falência, como fariam nos Estados Unidos.
Não há disputas de investimento conhecidas envolvendo pessoas dos EUA.
O Botswana aceita arbitragem internacional para resolver disputas de investimento.
Convenção ICSID e Convenção de Nova Iorque.
O Botswana ratificou a convenção sobre o Reconhecimento e Execução de Sentenças Arbitrais Estrangeiras (Convenção de Nova Iorque de 1958). Eles também são membros do Centro Internacional para a Solução de Disputas sobre Investimentos (ICSID) e da Agência Multilateral de Garantia de Investimentos (MIGA).
Duração da Resolução de Disputas.
A duração em alcançar uma resolução que envolve uma disputa de investimento depende de vários fatores. Quando os tribunais locais estão envolvidos, eles geralmente chamam as partes prejudicadas e recomendam que eles tentem resolver suas diferenças fora dos tribunais. Se as negociações falharem, o assunto será atribuído a um juiz que colocará o caso em seu registro. Há também uma opção para rotular o assunto como urgente, a fim de acelerar o processo, mas isso também requer uma avaliação judicial posterior para determinar se o assunto é urgente.
Requisitos de Desempenho e Incentivos de Investimento.
O Botsuana é um membro da Organização Mundial do Comércio (OMC) desde 1995. O Botsuana não mantém quaisquer políticas que sejam inconsistentes com os requisitos da OMC TRIMS.
O Botswana tem vários mecanismos para atrair investimentos estrangeiros diretos (IDE). O BITC presta assistência a investidores locais e estrangeiros. A BITC é responsável por promover o investimento estrangeiro direto, os cuidados posteriores com os investidores e a promoção de bens manufaturados localmente nos mercados de exportação. Auxilia os investidores no registro de empresas, aquisição de terrenos, conchas de fábrica, conexões de serviços públicos e autorizações de trabalho e residência para funcionários essenciais. Solicitações de investidores para apoio de investidores do BITC e outras agências são avaliadas com base na medida em que o projeto proposto auxilia nos esforços de diversificação do governo, contribui para o crescimento de setores prioritários e fornece emprego e treinamento para os cidadãos do Botswana. O governo também disponibiliza subvenções para investidores que fazem parceria com cidadãos e concederão crédito a investidores apresentando propostas que tenham sido submetidas a devida diligência e que tenham concluído um estudo de viabilidade. Os investidores estrangeiros são encorajados a transferir tecnologia para o Botswana e competências para os cidadãos do Botsuana, com vista a prepará-los para a promoção de cargos de gestão.
O Botsuana oferece uma taxa de imposto relativamente baixa de 22% do lucro tributável corporativo e de 7,5% de imposto retido na fonte sobre todos os dividendos distribuídos. O MTI pode conceder às empresas de manufatura o nível reduzido de 15% de lucro tributável. As empresas podem pagar a taxa reduzida de 15% de lucro com credenciamento do Innovation Hub ou do International Financial Services Center em operações aprovadas.
O Ministro de Finanças e Planejamento de Desenvolvimento tem autoridade para emitir ordens de aprovação de desenvolvimento que são usadas para projetos específicos, que incluem fornecimento de férias fiscais e subsídios de educação e treinamento. The Minister must be satisfied that the proposed project will be beneficial to Botswana’s economy. Any firm, local or foreign, may apply for a Development Approval Order through the Permanent Secretary for Finance and Development Planning. Applications will be evaluated against the following criteria: job creation for Botswana citizens; the company's training plans for Botswana citizens; the company's plans to localize non-citizen positions; Botswana citizen participation in company management; amount of equity held by Botswana citizens in the company; the location of the proposed investment; the project's effect on the stimulation of other economic activities; and the project's effect on reducing local consumer prices. The MTI also offers rebates on imported materials for manufactures that produce products for export.
Research and Development.
Information is not available.
Performance requirements are not imposed as a condition for establishing, maintaining, or expanding an investment in Botswana, or for access to tax and investment incentives. Foreign investors are encouraged, but not compelled, to establish joint ventures with citizens or citizen-owned companies.
Foreign investors wishing to invest in Botswana are required to register the company in accordance with the Companies Act and comply with other applicable legislation. Investors are encouraged, but not required, to purchase from local sources. The Government does not require investors to locate in specific geographical areas, use a specific percentage of local content, permit local equity in projects, manufacture substitutes for imports, meet export requirements or targets, or use national sources of financing for private-sector investments.
As a matter of policy, the GOB encourages foreign firms to hire qualified Botswana nationals rather than expatriates. The granting of work permits foreign workers may be made contingent upon establishment of demonstrable localization efforts. The government may additionally require evidence that a local is being trained to assume duties currently being fulfilled by foreign worker, specially focused at the middle-management level. The GOB offers incentives to companies that train local employees, including the deduction of 200 percent of training expenses when training is carried out by an accredited institution. The government has introduced a range of policy initiatives intended to mitigate the impending loss of diamond revenue and decrease government spending, including an Economic Diversification Drive, which employs government purchases to stimulate local production and consumption, as well as a wage freeze to reduce the size of the public sector wage bill.
Investors who rely on expatriate managerial and technical expertise see these limitations on immigration as a major regulatory constraint. In 2012, Botswana implemented a Points Based System (PBS) to evaluate work permits, in response to complaints that immigration authorities lacked the necessary expertise to properly evaluate applications for individuals with certain skill sets. This resulted in immediate and widespread complaints that the PBS was too stringent. The government then announced that it would review the policy; however, there is no indication that restrictions have not relaxed. The Ministry of Labor and Home Affairs has recently denied work permits to a large number of skilled foreign workers.. Even recent amendments to the Immigration Law do not appear to address the problem. Firms that retain BITC’s investment services are afforded priority in the permitting process and may avoid some of the delays that have been reported in finalizing immigration documents.
Grants are available to foreign investors who partner with Botswana citizens. The Citizen Entrepreneurial Development Agency has established a venture capital fund to provide equity to citizens and ventures between citizens and foreign investors. Foreign investors do not have access to Botswana government loans and grants designed specifically for citizen-owned contracting firms or for small enterprises.
The government, the largest procuring entity in the country, has directed central government, local authorities and state-owned enterprises to purchase all products and services from locally-based manufacturers and service providers if the goods and services are locally available, competitively priced, and meet tender specifications in terms of quality standards as certified or recognized by the Botswana Bureau of Standards. The Department of Industrial Affairs under the MTI administers this program.
In order for a foreign firm to qualify with the Department of Industrial Affairs as a locally-based manufacturer or service provider to sell goods or services to the government of Botswana, the firm first must be registered with the Registrar of Companies and possess a relevant license or waiver letter. Few of these procedures can be completed online. Therefore, in practice companies see the need to hire an agent on the ground to handle registrations.
For Companies Act registration purposes, enterprises are classified as follows: Micro Enterprises —less than 6 employees including owner and annual turnover of up to BWP 60,000; Small Enterprises — less than 25 employees and annual revenue between BWP 60,000 and 1,500,000; Medium Enterprises — less than 100 employees and an annual revenue between BWP 1,500,000 and 5,000,000; Large Enterprises —more than 100 employees and an annual revenue between BWP 5,000,000 or more.
There are no requirements to store data within the country.
6. Right to Private Ownership and Establishment.
The GOB reserves some business sectors for citizen ownership, has instituted local procurement preferences, and limits the land permitted to be sold to foreigners (see Sections 1, 7, and 8). Botswana has no other known restrictions on investment ownership, the sources of financing for investments, the marketing of products, the sources of technology used by companies, or the methods of training used by companies; however the absence of a consolidated investment framework has resulted in a lack of clarity regarding limitations on foreign investment.
6. Protection of Property Rights.
As part of the December 2014 reforms packet that the MTI presented to the National Doing Business Committee, the GOB plans to streamline and standardize property registration procedures by the end of 2016; however implementation of GOB-planned reforms has historically lagged. There are three main categories of land in Botswana: freehold, state land, and tribal land. Tribal and state land cannot be sold to foreigners. There are no restrictions on the sale of freehold land, but only about 5 percent of land in Botswana is freehold. In the capital city of Gaborone, the number of freehold plots is limited.
State land represents about 25 percent of land in Botswana. On application to the Department of Lands, both foreign-owned and local enterprises registered in Botswana may lease state land for industrial or residential use. Commercial use leases are for 50 years and residential leases are for 99 years. Waiting periods tend to be long for leasehold applications, but subleases from current leaseholders are available. In 2014, the GOB changed its implementing regulation to allow companies with less than five employees to operate in residential areas if their operations do not pose a health or safety risk to residents.
Tribal land represents 70 percent of land in Botswana. To obtain a lease for tribal land, the investor must approach the relevant local Land Board. Processes are unlikely to be streamlined or consistent across Land Boards.
Since independence, the trend in Botswana has been to increase the area of tribal land at the expense of both state and freehold land. Landlord-tenant law in Botswana tends to be moderately pro-landlord.
In addition to helping investors who meet its criteria obtain appropriate land leaseholds, the Botswana Investment and Trade Centre has also built factory units for lease to industrialists with the option to purchase at market value.
Intellectual Property Rights.
Intellectual property rights are protected under the Industrial Property Act of 2010, the Registration of Business Names Act of 1975 and the Copyright & Neighboring Rights Act of 2000. Other IP-related Laws include the Competition Act, the Value Added Tax Act, the Botswana Penal Code, the Customs and Excise Duty Act, the Monuments and Relics Act, the Broadcasting Act, and the Societies Act.
Botswana is a signatory to the Beijing Treaty on Audiovisual Performances, the Hague Agreement Concerning the International Deposit of Industrial Designs, the Protocol Relating to the Madrid Agreement Concerning the International Registration of Marks, the Convention Establishing the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), the WIPO Copyright Treaty, the WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty, the Patent Cooperation Treaty, the Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works and the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property.
In June 2014 GOB authorities worked with Namibian authorities and Interpol to seize 644,000 counterfeit items valued over USD 3 million in Botswana and Namibia.
For additional information about treaty obligations and points of contact at local IP offices, please see WIPO’s country profiles at wipo. int/directory/en/.
Resources for Rights Holders.
Embassy point of contact: Goitseone Montsho: MontshoG@state. gov.
8. Transparency of the Regulatory System.
Bureaucratic procedures necessary to start and maintain a business tend to be open, though slow. Foreign investors’ complaints generally focus on the inefficiency and/or unresponsiveness of mid-level and low-level bureaucrats in government. The government has introduced a Performance Management System to improve the service and accountability of government employees, but its effectiveness has not yet been evaluated.
The Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Board (PPADB) oversee all government tenders. Prospective government contractors are required to register with the PPADB. The PPADB maintains a process by which tender decisions can be challenged, and a bidder can also challenge a tender procedure in the courts. The PPADB publishes its decisions concerning awarded tenders, prequalification lists, and newly registered contractors.
The PPADB Act calls for preferential procurement of citizen-owned contractors for works, service and supplies, as well as specific, disadvantaged women’s communities, though it states that such preferences must be time-bound, phased in and out as necessary, and consistent with the country’s external obligations and its “market-oriented, macroeconomic framework.” When a procuring entity wishes to reserve a tender for citizen-only participation, it is required to publish a notice to that effect either in the bid document or the pre-qualification notice.
Health and safety laws, embodied in the Factories Act of 1973, provide basic protection for workers from unsafe working conditions. Minimum working conditions required on work premises include cleanliness of the premises, adequate ventilation and sanitation, sufficient lighting and the provision of safety precautions. Health inspectors and the Botswana Bureau of Standards carry out periodic checks at both new and operating factories.
9. Efficient Capital Markets and Portfolio Investment.
The government encourages the establishment of new and diverse financial institutions to support increased foreign and domestic investment and to fill existing gaps where finance is not commercially available. There are eight commercial banks, one merchant bank and one offshore bank, one statutory deposit-taking institution and one credit union operating in Botswana. All have corresponding relationships with U. S. banks. Additional financial institutions include various pension funds, insurance companies, microfinance institutions, stock brokerage companies, asset management companies, statutory finance institutions, collective investment undertakings, and statutory funds. Historically, commercial banks have accounted for 92 percent of total deposits and 98 percent of total loans in Botswana. A large portion of the population does not participate in the formal banking sector.
Money and Banking System, Hostile Takeovers.
The Non-Bank Financial Institutions Regulatory Authority (NBFIRA) was established in 2008 and provides regulatory oversight for the non-banking sector. It extends know-your-customer practices to non-banking financial institutions and is intended to help deter money laundering and terrorist financing. NBFIRA is also responsible for regulating the International Financial Services Centre, a hub charged with promoting the financial services industry in Botswana.
The central bank, the Bank of Botswana (BOB), acts as banker and financial advisor to the government and is responsible for the management of the country’s foreign exchange reserves, the administration of monetary and exchange rate policies, and the regulation and supervision of financial institutions in the country. Monetary policy in Botswana is widely regarded as prudent and the government has successfully managed to maintain sensible exchange rate and stable inflation rate, generally within the target of 3 to 6 percent.
Banks may lend to non-resident controlled companies without seeking approval from the Bank of Botswana. Foreign investors usually enjoy better access to credit than local firms due. In July 2014 USAID’s Development Credit Authority, in collaboration with the Barclays Bank of Botswana, implemented a program to allow Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) to access up to USD 15 million in loans in an effort to diversify the current economy.
The local Stock Exchange (BSE) has 36 publicly traded companies. As of 2015, 22 companies on the Domestic Board and 12 companies on the Foreign Equities Board. In addition, three exchange traded funds are listed on the exchange. The total market capitalization for listed companies, as of March 2015 was USD 41.95 billion though most of that is taken up by one company, Anglo-American Plc, which has a market capitalization of some USD 35 billion. The BSE is still highly illiquid compared to larger African markets and is dominated by mining companies which adds to index volatility. Laws prohibiting insider trading and securities fraud are still under development.
The government has legitimized offshore capital investments and allows foreign investors, individuals and corporate bodies, and companies incorporated in Botswana to open foreign currency accounts in specified currencies. The designated currencies are U. S. Dollar, Pound Sterling, Euro and the South African Rand. There are no known practices by private firms to restrict foreign investment participation or control in domestic enterprises. Private firms are not permitted to adopt articles of incorporation or association which limit or prohibit foreign investment, participation or control.
In general, Botswana exercises careful control over credit expansion, the Pula exchange rate, interest rates, and foreign and domestic borrowing. Banking legislation is largely in line with industry norms for regulation, supervision, and payments, and its anti-money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism regime is improving (see section two).
10. Competition from State-Owned Enterprises.
State-owned enterprises (SOEs), known as “parastatals,” are majority or one hundred percent owned by the Government. There is a published list of SOEs at the GoB portal (gov. bw) with profiles of financial and development SOEs. Some SOEs are state-sanctioned monopolies, including the Botswana Telecommunications Corporation, Botswana Meat Commission, the Water Utilities Corporation, Botswana Railways, and the Botswana Power Corporation.
Private and government-owned enterprises are governed by the same business registration and licensing laws. No law or regulation prohibits or restricts private enterprises from competing with SOEs. Botswana law requires SOEs to publish annual reports and, depending on how they are constituted, SOEs are audited by private sector accountants or the Auditor General. In 2011, Parliament also began overseeing SOEs, compelling Presidents and Chairmen to appear before Parliamentary committees to provide reports and answer questions regarding their performance. Many SOEs are not performing well and several, including the Botswana Meat Commission, the Botswana Telecommunications Corporation (BTC) and the Botswana Power Corporation, have been embroiled in scandals involving alleged fraud and mismanagement. One former CEO and several employees of the BTC were indicted on corruption charges in 2012. In 2013, the Parliamentary Committee investigated allegations of corruption and mismanagement at Botswana Meat Commission.
OECD Guidelines on Corporate Governance of SOEs.
SOEs appoint a CEO, who reports to a Board of Directors, which reports to the relevant government Ministry. Board members are appointed by line ministers and are drawn from both the government and the private sector. Corporate governance is still a very new phenomenon in Botswana, but most SOEs are moving towards implementing it. CEOs of some SOEs, i. e. Bank of Botswana, Public Procurement & Asset Disposable Board, are still holding the Chairman positions of their boards while the OECD guidelines good practice calls for separation of duties. Appointment of Board members and CEO is very much politically motivated. Nominated candidates for these positions are submitted to the parliament for approval and they can either accept or reject a candidate.
The Bank of Botswana maintains a long-term sovereign wealth fund, known as the Pula Fund, in addition to a regular foreign reserve account providing basic import cover. The Pula Fund, with an estimated value of some USD 7 billion, was established under the Bank of Botswana Act and forms part of the country’s foreign exchange reserves, which are primarily funded by diamond revenues. The Pula Fund is wholly invested in foreign currency-denominated assets and is managed by the Bank of Botswana Board with input from recognized international financial management and investment firms. All realized market and currency gains or losses are reported in the Bank of Botswana’s income statement.
11. Corporate Social Responsibility.
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is recognized and embraced by government, some foreign and local firms, and customers. Major banks such as Standard Chartered and cell phone providers such as Mascom have established CSR programs, sponsor projects and support local nonprofit concerns. However, the CSR ethos has not taken hold in many smaller firms. The U. S. Embassy worked with the Botswana Confederation of Commerce, Industry and Manpower (BOCCIM) on the issue of CSR and ethical compliance to help enlist companies to sign onto a Corporate Code of Conduct that covers, among other things, conflicts of interest, bribery, political interference, political party funding, procurement and bidding and issues surrounding residence and work permits. While the Code of Conduct is voluntary, it envisions amending Botswana’s Procurement Act to allow only firms that have signed on to participate in tenders. It also envisages procedures whereby firms may be de-listed as signatories. To date, more than 70 firms have signed the Code of Conduct.
OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises.
The GoB actively encourages companies to embrace corporate social responsibility. The President of Botswana has publicly commended companies that exercise corporate social responsibility and challenged others to do the same.
The threat of political violence is considered low in Botswana. Public demonstrations are rare and seldom turn violent. The most recent protest involved public sector employees and occurred in April to June 2011. There were reports of police deployments and clashes with protestors. With the exception of a few minor instances demonstrations were largely peaceful.
UN Anticorruption Convention, OECD Convention on Combatting Bribery.
Botswana has a reputation for a relative lack of corruption and a willingness to prosecute corrupt officials. Transparency International ranks Botswana as the least corrupt country in Africa (31st overall), and a 2014 report by the World Justice Project ranked Botswana number one on its regional rule of law index. Investors with experience in other developing nations describe the relative lack of obstruction or interference by law enforcement or other government agents as among the country's most important assets. Nevertheless, private sector representatives now note rising corruption levels in government tender procurements.
The major corruption investigation body is the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crimes (DCEC). Overall, the DCEC is regarded as an active and independent organization. The DCEC has embarked on an education campaign to raise public awareness about the cost of corruption and is also working with Government departments to reform their accountability procedures.
Corruption is punishable by a prison term of up to 10 years, a fine of USD 50,000, or both. The DCEC received 1,471 reports of corruption in 2013, an 18 percent decrease from the 2011 statistics. The DCEC investigated 520 allegations in 2013, and the government typically obtains 16-20 convictions per year for corruption-related crimes. High level officials have been prosecuted. Allegations that the Director of Intelligence and Security Services escaped corruption charges because of his personal connections circulated widely in Batswana media in 2014. The Directorate of Public Prosecutions applied for a withdrawal of corruption charges against MTI Vincent Seretse in March 2015 citing the grounds that key witnesses were unavailable. The charges stemmed from alleged tender manipulation in 2008 when he was CEO of SOE Botswana Telecommunication Company.
The 2000 Proceeds of Serious Crime Act expanded the DCEC's mandate to include money laundering. The 2009 Financial Intelligence Act provides a comprehensive legal framework to address money laundering and establishes a financial intelligence agency (FIA). The FIA, which operates under the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, cooperates with various institutions, such as Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Botswana Police Service, Bank of Botswana, the Non-Banking Financial Institutions Regulatory Authority (NBFIRA), the DCEC, and foreign FIAs to uncover and investigate suspicious financial transactions. Botswana is a member of the Eastern and Southern Anti-Money Laundering Group (ESAAMLG), a regional standards-setting body for ensuring appropriate laws, policies and practices to fight money laundering and the financing of terrorism.
Botswana is not a party to the OECD Anti-bribery Convention but is a party to the 2005 UN Anticorruption Convention.
Resources to Report Corruption.
Contacts for agencies responsible for combating corruption:
Name: Ms. Rose Seretse.
Organization: Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime.
Address: Madirelo Extension 6, Gaborone, Botswana.
Telephone Number: +267 3914002/+267 3604200.
Name: Ms. Bridget John.
Tittle: Executive Director.
Organization: Public Procurement & Asset Disposal Board.
Address: Private Bag 0058, Gaborone, Botswana.
Telephone Number: +267 3602000.
Name: Mr. Abraham Sethibe.
Organization: Financial Intelligence Agency.
Address: Private Bag 0190, Gaborone, Botswana.
Telephone Number: +267 3998400.
One can also reach out to the Minister of the relevant Ministry for a particular tender and provide a copy of the complaint to the Public Procurement & Asset Disposal Board Executive Director.
14. Bilateral Investment Agreements.
The U. S. and the Southern Africa Customs Union (SACU), which includes Botswana, signed a Trade, Investment, and Development Cooperative Agreement (TIDCA) in 2008. The TIDCA establishes a forum for consultative discussions, cooperative work, and possible agreements on a wide range of trade issues, with a special focus on customs and trade facilitation, technical barriers to trade, sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures, and trade and investment promotion.
SACU has Free Trade Agreements with Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland, and the European Free Trade Association. The preferential trade agreement between SACU countries and MERCOSUR (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay) was signed by MERCOSUR and SACU States in December 2008 and April 2009 respectively. The PTA establishes fixed preference margins as a first step towards the creation of a free trade area between SACU and MERCOSUR. Botswana has ratified the Agreement and is awaiting remaining Member States to complete ratification for the agreement to be implemented.
For more information on SACU’s tariff regime see the World Trade Organization (WTO) document: wto/english/tratop_e/tpr_e/s222-00_e. doc.
Botswana is also a member of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), is currently implementing the SADC Protocol on Trade. For more information about SADC, visit: sadc. int.
In 2014, Botswana concluded an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the European Union as part of SADC EPA Group. The EPA guarantees access to the EU market without any duties or quotas for Botswana, and gives asymmetric access to the SADC EPA Group.
Botswana has a trade agreement with Zimbabwe which provides duty-free access for goods that meet the 25 percent local content requirement.
Botswana’s trade regime is more open than that of an average sub-Saharan Africa country. According to the 2012 World Trade Indicators published by the World Bank, Botswana’s MFN Tariff Trade Restrictiveness Index (TTRI) was 5.2 percent, as compared to 7.4 percent in 2011 for sub-Saharan Africa (the lower percentage indicates fewer trade restrictions). Nevertheless customs procedures remain a challenge for businesses in Botswana. Botswana ranked 157 out of 189 in trade in the World Bank’s, 2015 Doing Business Report because it takes USD 3,145 and 27 days to export a container and USD 3,710 and 35 days for import procedures.
In 2015, the GOB Cabinet approved the establishment of Botswana's National Single Window which enables international traders to submit regulatory documents at a single location in order to facilitate trade. The Botswana Unified Revenue Services is consulting with the private sector on a draft to amend the Customs and Excise Duty Act with the view of streamlining procedures and lowering importing and exporting costs.
Botswana has erected some non-tariff barriers to trade, including import permit requirements for a variety of food products, seasonal trade bans on selected agricultural goods, and a state monopoly on beef exports.
Bilateral Taxation Treaties.
Botswana has not signed a double taxation treaty with the United States.
15. OPIC and Other Investment Insurance Programs.
The Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) makes insurance available for projects in Botswana. In October 2008, OPIC approved a USD 250 million guarantee facility for the diamond industry. The purpose of the guarantee was to develop a robust lending market to Botswana’s emerging cutting and polishing industry.
Botswana is a member of the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA). MIGA offers investors protection against inconvertibility or transfer of currency, expropriation, breach of contract, and war and civil disturbance.
The Botswana Export Credit Insurance and Guarantee Ltd. allows investors to purchase coverage against certain events and losses such as the insolvency and inability of buyers to pay for purchases, unanticipated import restrictions, or the blockage by the buyer’s country of foreign exchange transfer.
Botswana has high unemployment (estimated to be 20 percent) and a severely constricted worker skills base. Employers can expect to engage in significant training efforts, depending on the industry. Retention of workers and absenteeism can pose problems. In addition, managers often cite workforce productivity as a point of frustration. The lack of trained local citizen professionals is generally resolved by the use of expatriates if they can secure work permits.
The Employment Act of 1992 provides basic guidelines for employment in Botswana. The legislation sets requirements for a minimum wage, length of the workweek, annual and maternity leave, hiring and termination. Standards set by the Act are consistent with international best practice as described by ILO model legislation and guidelines.
Employment-related litigation occurs and is both an example of trust in the court system and a cost to doing business in Botswana. Considerable expense and frustration can be avoided if an employer observes the provisions of the Employment Act, relevant labor regulations and prudence in advance of potential litigation. Before a potential litigant goes to one of eleven labor courts, the parties must attempt mediation through the Department of Labor.
All Botswana citizens, except those working in the Botswana Defense Force, police, and prisons are permitted to participate in trade unions. The largest unions are comprised of public sector workers. Although workers have a right to strike, those engaged in certain categories of “essential” services, including air traffic control, electricity services, fire services, the Bank of Botswana, health services, and sewage services are not permitted to strike. When the GoB tried to add diamond workers, veterinarians, and teachers to this list in the wake of a public sector strike in 2011, the public sector union sued the government to be taken off the list. The union won the case in April 2014. However, certain law provisions are found inconsistent with the ILO Conventions on Freedom of Association and Collective Bargaining Rights, including section 35(1)(b) of the Trade Disputes Act, which permits an employer or employers’ organization to apply to the commissioner to withdraw the recognition granted to a trade union on the grounds that the trade union refuses to negotiate in good faith with the employer; section 20(3) of the Trade Disputes Act which imposes compulsory arbitration of disputes of interest in non-essential service sectors. According to the ILO Committee of Experts, there is a lack of provisions of law which provide for adequate protection against acts of interference by employers.
17. Foreign Trade Zones/Free Ports/Trade Facilitation.
Botswana currently has no domestic free trade zones or free ports. Botswana approved a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) policy in 2009 and the government is currently drafting legislation to establish a SEZ authority. The government has allocated 426.6 hectares for SEZs to be overseen by the MTI.
18. Foreign Direct Investment and Foreign Portfolio Investment Statistics.
Table 2: Key Macroeconomic Data, U. S. FDI in Host Country/Economy.
Host Country Statistical source*
USG or international statistical source.
USG or International Source of Data:
BEA; IMF; Eurostat; UNCTAD, Other.
Host Country Gross Domestic Product (GDP) ($B USD)
Foreign Direct Investment.
Host Country Statistical source*
USG or international statistical source.
USG or international Source of data:
BEA; IMF; Eurostat; UNCTAD, Other.
U. S. FDI in partner country ($M USD, stock positions)
Host country’s FDI in the United States ($M USD, stock positions)
Total inbound stock of FDI as % host GDP.
*Bank of Botswana.
Table 3: Sources and Destination of FDI.
IMF Coordinated Direct Investment Survey data are not available for Botswana.
According to the Bank of Botswana, investment in Botswana totaled USD 4 billion in 2012. Foreign direct investment statistics trends show that FDI forms slightly over half of capital flows into Botswana, followed by portfolio and other types of investments. Portfolio investments, though small, have increased since the founding of the Botswana Stock Exchange. The mining sector continues to dominate Botswana’s investments, accounting for 72 percent of FDI and 42 percent of other investment inflows in 2012. The financing sector followed, comprising 22 percent of FDI and 10 percent of other investments. Europe was the primary source of FDI (75 percent), followed by Africa (22 percent). According to Bank of Botswana statistics the dominant countries contributing FDI in Botswana are Luxembourg (69 percent) and South Africa (14 percent). Non-FDI investments are dominated by an unspecified category of “other” countries (63 percent) and the bulk (77 percent) of non-FDI investments were provided to the public administration sector as external debt. The United States’ non-FDI investments totaled approximately USD 5.3 million. The Bank of Botswana announced that there were substantive changes to the 2012 data following revisions to align it with balance of payment flows.
Table 4: Sources of Portfolio Investment.
IMF Coordinated Portfolio Investment Survey data are not available for Botswana.

Departamento de Estado dos E. U.A.
Diplomacia em ação.
Countries/Jurisdictions of Primary Concern - Botswana.
Botswana aspires to be a regional financial center under its national Economic Diversification Drive strategy. Although money laundering in Botswana is not primarily related to narcotics, there has been an increase in drug trafficking in recent years, as well as in the sophistication and level of organization of cross-border crime. The presence of organized criminal groups continues to grow, as is the trade in second-hand cars, which present certain risks related to money laundering. In recent years there has been an increase in the amount and frequency of fraud perpetrated against large organizations, e. g., banks or government departments, typically with the collusion of an employee, and money laundering prosecutions have centered on these types of criminal activity. Botswana is a cash-based society, and there is insufficient infrastructure to address money laundering and terrorism financing.
Botswana supplies many of the world’s diamonds. The stringent institutional framework for the mining and processing of diamonds affords limited opportunity for organized diamond smuggling. The smuggling that does occur is not believed to be linked to terrorism financing or the laundering of criminal proceeds. The DeBeers’ Diamond Trading Company relocated from London to Gaborone in 2013, and the Government of Botswana is seeking to expand its downstream diamond manufacturing, which could result in additional wholesale and retail diamond marketers setting up businesses in Botswana. The growth of this industry presents an increased risk of money laundering and illicit financing activity.
Botswana operates the International Financial Service Center (IFSC), an organization authorizing entities to provide offshore financial services. IFSC-accredited companies provide a range of financial services, including fund management, banking, international insurance, and intermediary services. Those services must be provided to clients outside Botswana and in currencies other than the pula. The supervisory standards applied to domestic financial service providers are also applicable to IFSC-authorized entities. Shell companies and anonymous directors are prohibited.
The Botswana Authorities believe there is a low risk of terrorist activity in the country, but they are increasingly concerned about the potential for terrorists to focus on Botswana as a soft target and they acknowledge the risk of terrorism financing.
For additional information focusing on terrorist financing, please refer to the Department of State’s Country Reports on Terrorism, which can be found at: state. gov/j/ct/rls/crt/
Do FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONs engage in currency transactions related to international narcotics trafficking that include significant amounts of US currency; currency derived from illegal sales in the U. S.; or illegal drug sales that otherwise significantly affect the U. S.: NO.
“All serious crimes” approach or “list” approach to predicate crimes: All serious crimes.
Are legal persons covered: criminally: YES civilly: YES.
Enhanced due diligence procedures for PEPs: Foreign: NO Domestic: NO.
KYC covered entities: Banks, building societies, collective investment undertakings, the Botswana Savings Bank, post offices, registered stockbrokers, long-term insurance businesses, foreign exchange dealers, and the IFSC certification committee.
Number of STRs received and time frame: Not available.
Number of CTRs received and time frame: Not available.
STR covered entities: Banks, building societies, collective investment undertakings, the Botswana Savings Bank, post offices, registered stockbrokers, long-term insurance businesses, foreign exchange dealers, and the IFSC certification committee.
money laundering criminal Prosecutions/convictions :
Prosecutions: Not available.
Convictions: Not available.
Records exchange mechanism:
With other governments/jurisdictions: YES.
Botswana is a member of the Eastern and Southern Africa Anti-Money Laundering Group (ESAAMLG), a FATF-style regional body. Its most recent mutual evaluation can be found at: esaamlg/reports/me. php.
Enforcement and implementation issues and comments :
The Financial Intelligence Agency (FIA) became operational in February 2014. As the financial intelligence unit, the FIA is now processing suspicious transaction reports (STRs) and currency transaction reports (CTRs). The FIA also is the secretariat of the National Coordinating Committee on Financial Intelligence. The committee is the national policy-making body for combating financial offenses. As of November 2014, the FIA has a director, three Analysis Department staff, two Legal Department staff, and one Compliance Department staff member. The FIA is currently adding four new positions and has requested additional staffing in the government’s 2014/2015 budget cycle. Capacity-building training and technical assistance will be key to the FIA’s successful performance. The FIA is currently not publishing STR and CTR data and is developing its data release policies. It also is preparing to replace manual STR procedures with an electronic system in 2015.
In July 2014, the Parliament passed into law the Counter-Terrorism Act, the Proceeds and Instruments of Crime Act, and the Anti-Human Trafficking Act. The Proceeds and Instruments of Crime Act introduces a system for identifying and forfeiting assets. Previously, the Directorate of Public Prosecution’s Asset Forfeiture Unit had seized assets before trial, but they could only be forfeited or confiscated after conviction. The Counter-Terrorism Act criminalizes the financing of terrorism, makes it a crime not to report suspected terrorist financing, and introduces the ability to freeze terrorist assets without delay. There have been no terrorism or terrorism financing-related prosecutions. These systems and provisions were introduced by law in July 2014 and the Proceeds and Instruments of Crime Act and the Anti-Human Trafficking Act enter into force on January 1, 2015. The Government of Botswana is currently establishing the necessary institutions in order to implement the Counter-Terrorism Act. None of the AML-related laws and regulations of Botswana contains requirements related to politically exposed persons (PEPs), foreign or domestic.
An amendment to the Firearms and Ammunition Act addressing arms proliferation remains pending with Parliament. The Non-Bank Financial Institutions Regulatory Authority is responsible for AML oversight of non-financial institutions. However, there is no legal provision in Botswana for a covered entity, other than a bank, to actually monitor for complex, unusually large transactions, or unusual patterns of transactions with no apparent lawful purpose.
The Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime is actively investigating an increasing number of corruption cases, but the Directorate of Public Prosecutions is extremely under-resourced and lacks the training and experience to obtain convictions in those cases.
Botswana took concrete measures to improve its AML/CFT regime in 2014, although further steps are needed to bring it fully in line with international standards. The FIA is working toward commencing its National Risk Assessment in early 2015. This process will provide insights into the strengths and weaknesses of Botswana’s AML/CFT regime and clarify next steps and priority issues.

Success of Economic Diversification Strategies Critical for Resource-Rich Economies.
The success of economic diversification strategies is key to overcome resource dependence and safeguard long-term sustainable economic growth in resource-rich countries. Natural resources are finite and face huge fluctuations in prices, making economic diversification critical to decouple from volatile government revenues that are highly dependent on commodity exports. For several years, resource-rich countries like Peru, Chile, Russia, Australia, oil-dependent countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and others, rode on the success of their resource-based growth models in the atypical years of commodity market boom from 2000-2008. However, fluctuations in global prices and demand since then have presented several challenges making economic diversification a top economic agenda in these countries.
Dependence on Exports of Mineral Fuels and Total Exports in GCC countries: 2013.
Source: Euromonitor International from national statistics/Eurostat/OECD/UN/International Monetary Fund (IMF), International Financial Statistics (IFS)
Overcoming resource (and China) dependence is essential.
After decades of rapid growth, the Chinese economy is slowing, which is having spillover effects on commodity exporters globally:
For example, in Q2 2014, real annual GDP growth in Peru – amongst the top metal producers globally according to the IMF – slumped to 1.7%, its lowest quarterly annual growth since the recession in 2009, thanks to falling copper prices and reduced demand from China that slowed export growth and private investment; Australia – amongst the largest global producers of several minerals – is also dependent on China. In 2013, 59.5% of total exports came from exports of metalliferous ores and metal scrap and mineral fuels alone.
The lack of clear economic diversification strategies is making these economies vulnerable to commodity price fluctuations:
In the GCC, one of the biggest challenges is managing risks associated with high oil dependence and developing non-oil trading sectors. Diversifying will not only lead to sustained long-term growth, but also create more jobs for the bloc’s young and growing population and reduce the dependence on returns on sovereign wealth funds; Russia’s economic growth model continues to be dependent on energy exports, leaving it vulnerable to external shocks with exports of mineral fuels accounting for nearly three-quarters of total exports in 2013.
Mixed progress on diversification.
Oil dependence has also led to long-standing challenges of income inequality and poor job creation that caused widespread civil unrest as seen in the Arab Spring since early 2011. Progress on diversification has so far been mixed:
Following dismal results in the first two quarters of 2014, Peru’s government was forced to take measures to boost domestic demand and offset the dependence on mining exports while Australia still does not have a diversification policy in place; The GCC have been targeting development of industries like infrastructure (Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain), promoting small and medium enterprises (SMEs) (Kuwait and Oman) and establishing strong educational and healthcare networks. While these have made huge strides in economic and social development, more efforts are needed to improve skill sets of the population as well as engaging domestic populations in the private sector; In Saudi Arabia, the contribution of non-oil GDP is rising and grew by 5.3% in real terms compared to the negative 1.0% growth in real oil GDP according to the IMF in 2013. The government is making considerable efforts to lay the groundwork for further diversification by upgrading infrastructure, strengthening education and skills, boosting access to finance for SMEs, and improving the business environment.
Diversification to support future growth.
Diversification for resource-rich economies is inevitable to reduce risks associated with high dependence on commodity export-growth models and to limit the impact of fluctuations of commodity prices on domestic economies.
The UAE is the only country in the GCC that has successfully diversified away from energy with modern infrastructure that includes a seaport among the largest in the world, a number of world-class hotels and a business-friendly environment. Azerbaijan is another success story developing new sectors in its economy, fostering successful private sector-led growth and lowering its dependence on mineral fuel exports. Exports of mineral fuels made up 93.8% of Azerbaijan’s total exports in 2013 but the government announced in late 2014 it will completely eliminate its oil and gas dependence in the next five to seven years.
However, growth in the non-oil sector generally for GCC countries has remained weak. Investment in education to improve skill sets of domestic populations remains paramount and policy reforms to create non-oil growth and job opportunities will remain a big challenge. The rapid development of shale oil and gas production in the USA will impact global oil prices and demand, which will also play a key role to further push GCC diversification efforts.
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Two articles on attempts to move into high-tech; first, New York City.
Jan 7th 2012 | NEW YORK.
“THAT city will, in the course of time, become the granary of the world, the emporium of commerce, the seat of manufactures, the focus of great monied operations,” predicted DeWitt Clinton, governor of New York in 1824. He was speaking about the effects of the Erie Canal, which connected the Great Lakes to the Hudson River. Originally derided as “Clinton's folly”, the canal helped to open up the west, allowing New York to benefit enormously from an explosion of trade. Within 15 years of the opening, New York was the busiest port in America, moving more than Boston, Baltimore and New Orleans combined. The plan to open an applied sciences university campus in New York City, reckons Seth Pinsky, who heads New York's Economic Development Corporation, is an “Erie Canal moment”.
The city's embrace of high-tech has already begun. Tech clusters have emerged in Manhattan's Flatiron District and Brooklyn's Dumbo, home to firms like STELLAService and Etsy. Venture-capital firms and angel investors have been looking at New York more seriously than they once did. Henry Blodget, of Business Insider, notes “the financing ecosystem has also gotten very well developed, from late-stage private equity right down to angel investing.” Some $1.2 billion was invested by venture-capital firms in New York in 2010. The Big Apple even overtook Massachusetts in venture-capital funding for internet and tech start-ups, making it second only to Silicon Valley. And in the third quarter of last year, it surpassed it in venture capital in all categories. Between 2005 and 2010 employment in New York's high-tech sector grew by nearly 30%. Google alone has about 1,200 engineers in the city.
Much of this growth has been organic, but there has been some help from City Hall. Since 2002 the city has set up more than 40 projects to help the biotech sector and helped create a network of incubators supporting start-ups in that area. It also established a $22m municipal entrepreneurial fund, the first of its kind outside Silicon Valley. A year ago Michael Bloomberg, a tech entrepreneur before he became New York's mayor, called on universities to pitch plans to develop and operate a new tech campus in New York in exchange for access to city-owned land and up to $100m in public money.
New York received seven proposals from 17 top institutions, including Stanford University which did so much to create Silicon Valley. Almost 6,000 companies, including Google, Hewlett-Packard and LinkedIn, trace their beginnings to Stanford. But Stanford withdrew from the competition last month, days before the mayor announced the winning proposal, which came from Cornell, an Ivy League university, and its partner Technion, an Israeli technology institute. The latter is considered to be one of the driving forces in Israel's tech industry. It helped turn Israel from a country of orchards to one of semiconductors. Some 4,000 start-up companies are located around its campus.
The two bodies have plans to build a $2 billion 2m square feet (610,000 square metres) campus on Roosevelt Island, one subway stop from mid-town. Cornell and Technion hope to have a temporary facility up and running as soon as this autumn and complete their permanent home by 2017. The bid had huge support from Cornell alumni, including a $350m gift from Charles Feeney, who made his fortune through the Duty Free Shopping Group. That is one of the largest donations in the history of American higher education.
According to the city's analysis, over the next 30 years the campus will generate more than $7.5 billion in economic activity, with 600 companies spinning out of the new school directly; these are projected to create 30,000 jobs. Some 20,000 construction jobs will also be created, not to mention about $1.4 billion in extra tax revenue. And it should help quench the never-ending demand for qualified engineers. The mayor has not ruled out naming additional winners. And some of the losing plans will go forward regardless. So New York could soon have several applied sciences campuses. Look out, Silicon Valley.