With a focus on the promotion of private sector-led growth and job creation, the government has once again reiterated its commitment to invest in the creative industry. The Minister of Finance and Economic Development Dr Thapelo Matsheka recently revealed this during the delivery of the 2020/21 budget proposals.
Dr Matsheka said the move is a deliberate effort to align to the transformation agenda. He said the creative industry is amongst the areas the government is going to invest in. Even though the creative sector falls under the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Culture Development, Dr Matsheka indicated that the latter would share the Ministerial Recurrent budget of P5.95 billion with other Ministries including Extra-Ministerial Departments.
“The creative industry sector can and has the potential to brand and market Botswana, as well as contribute towards job creation and economic diversification.
Furthermore, the creative industry can harness the demographic dividend by opening opportunities for exploring talents,” he said.
Dr Matsheka said the government is also committed to promoting the growth and preservation of the arts and culture. He revealed that the government has signed several cultural agreements with other countries as a way of availing opportunities at regional, continental and international levels for the arts and culture practitioners.
“Some policies and legislation such as the Cinematography Act and Entertainment Legislation are also being reviewed to create comparative advantage within the arts and cultural sector,” he highlighted.
Dr Matsheka further asserted the policy initiatives would be implemented with expediency to allow the sector to grow and lure partners for its development.
“These policies will come to nothing if not implemented in partnership with the private sector,” he said.
Source: http://www.mmegi.bw/index.php?aid=84327&dir=2020/february/07
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