- 1 - OPENING SPEECH BY HIS HONOUR THE VICE PRESIDENT AND MINISTER OF FINANCE AND DEVELOPMENT PLANNING P. S. Mmusi Mr Olairman, ladies and gentlemen. I am delighted to have the pleasure of opening this workshop on DevelopDent Trends in the past 'I\olentyyears of Indepemence in Botswana. I am particularly pleased to see that oor University continues to play an illiX>rtant part; not only in preparing ~r with the skills needed for development, but in carrying out research on many issues which concern us as a Government. In 1983, it was pleasing to note the publication of a book on Botswana•s Economy Since Independence. In June of 1984, I had the pleasure of opening a conference on this canpus, which was concerned with Developnent strategies in our Soorthern Africa region. It is reassuring to see research scholars increasingly concerning themselves with issues of both regional and national priority. It is extremely valuable for scholars, intellectuals, as well as ordinary citizens. to meet fran time to time to discuss issues of mutual concern. It is even IIDre valuable a such meetings could stimulate research and lead to ideas that could help us to IIDre effectively deal with problems of both our camtry as well as our region. At a time when the nation celebrates its 'I\olentieth Armiversary of Independence, it is IIDst appropriate for all of us to be engaged in a serious and systematic refelction on what we as a - 2 - people have achieved over the last twenty years. Mr Olairman, let me note that tmlike many former colonies or protectorates, Botswana inherited almost nothing at Independence. '!he public sector was deperx1ent upon grants fran the United KingdClllto balance the recurrent bJdget. At independence in 1966, Botswana was one of the poorest coutries in the v.orld. '!he pecple of Botswana lived on sul::6istence agriculture and cattle-rearing. '!he camtry was one of the least developed with little P'tysical and social infrastructure and camnunications were inadequate. '!he economic outlook was bleak. '!here seemed little hope that the country would ever becane independent in even the IlOst oodest economic sense. '!he idea of generating danestic resources for developnent was unthinkable. '!he lack of developnent at indeperx1ence to a large extent directed the Government's enomicpolicies and priori ties. FrClll the beginning, Governmentwas led by the pressing need to devote attention to basic services for our pecple. Growth in Botswana started frClll a very small base. Mining, cattle-rearing and the provision of government services have provided the major stimulus to ecorx:mi.cgrcwth and developnent. '!he mining and beef industies were, and still remain the major oontributions of the country's exports. But the manufacturing sector was very small. '!he manufacturing industry has gram substantially in terms of enployment creation and oontribution to Gross Danestic Product. It has increased and has been growing rapidly. '!he growth of this sector has largely been attributed to the general faVOlrable investment climate in Botswana. '!he faVOlrable fiscal and nonetary POlicies and direct government participation throogh parastatals like the Botswana Developaent Corporaticn have been geared towards providing a better 3 investment climate in the country. Other government policies, like the Financial Assistantce Policy (FAP), which give incentives to productive entities, have also contributed to the grONthof this sector. As far as government services are concerned, IIDst basic service .. for the people have been provided. For example, at the time of indepedence, there were inadequate schools, hospitals, roads c....1d, of course, no university. But nON all these things have been made possible throogh the process of developnent. We nON have schools, hospitals and oor CMn university. Government has made major efforts throogh budgetary expenditures to provide people with IIDre equal access to education, basic health facilities, communications, transportation, water supplies and other facilities. Ladies and gentlenen, I am not here to ootline developnents trends in Botswana. I am here to welcane you and to support your attempts to evaluate progress in the past twenty years. At oor 20th anniversary of Independence, it is timely to assess the progress that has been made over the last 20 years. We must recognise hONeverthat 20 years of progress is not the end of oor efforts. Botswanastill has manyproblems that need to be tackled. Westill have a long way to go, for example, in two of the government s I major objectives of rural developnent and employmentcreation, even thoogh the last 20 years has seen oonsiderable progress. Mr Chairman, I am harPY to see that yoo intend to discuss a wide variety of topics on developnent and not Botswana's econany alone. We knON that we cannot have sustained development unless people have a IIDre equal chance to attain their ecaronic and social goals. I ampleased to see that oor university lecturers do not only teach, but are eager to present their research findings to the nation. Yoor discussions have the potential of constructively contributing to policy making. - 4 - I am also pleased to note that the stlrlent body of thie. Universi ty find it proper to join with the people of Botswana in celebrating 20 years of progress. I kn<:w that sane Batswana believe that no progress has been made in the last 20 years. I am not surprised by this, because I also know that there are sema who might go further to say that the very fact that there is noN a University in Botswana, where none existed before, is not an exanple of progress. I contend that it is an exallple of achievement. Governmentwelcanes all our visitors. We h<::p! that as }'Ql exchange ideas wit.... us during the next few days, you will contributt, to an on-quing progress thrcugh which meaningful new insights might emrge. '!he Universi ty is to be canmendedfor organizing an awropriate workshopas we proudly celebrate the 'lWentieth Anniversary of our independence. I look forward, in the near future, to hearing aboot your proceedings. With these few remarks, I ampleased to declare this conference open. 'PUIA'