Economic tide turning in Bots

Freight forwarders in

Botswana are optimistic

that the tide is finally turning

and that volumes will be

moving up rather than down as

has been the norm in the past

few years.

According to Lucas

Barreto, chairman of the

Botswana Freight Forwarders’

Association, while it is still

early days, volumes are already

on an upward trajectory.

“Government tenders are

picking up as the authorities

start investing in infrastructure

and as projects are finally

kicking off,” he told FTW. “The

economy has also picked up and

we are seeing growth – which is

good. The situation is definitely

improving.”

According to Barreto

government investment

has undoubtedly

played the biggest role to date

in the slight turnaround being

seen in the country.

“The investments they

are making in road, power

and water infrastructure is

boosting business and freight

is beginning to f low again.

We are hopeful and positive

that this trend will continue

and that we will see greater

volume increases in the coming

months.”