"That company was growing the industry, employing people and paying taxes, but totally ignoring that, the BMC decided not to supply them with hides as it could get better prices outside the country," said Moroka.
"That's incoherence in policy and I have always said the first bite of the cake must go to Batswana." Other delegates questioned why citizen companies that were registered under the Economic Diversification Drive (EDD) certificate were losing out to other companies in government tenders. The 437 enterprises registered under the EDD, an import substitution initiative, generally expect preference in the award as the certificate guarantees their existence in Botswana as well as their capacity and quality.
"Some of us have been losing out to briefcase companies (in government tenders)," said a delegate from an EDD certified company at the pitso. "These briefcase companies come from nowhere and because they get their supply from China or elsewhere, are able to out-price us in tenders. "They price better than us who have operations and employees here in Botswana as well as other costs. The tenders should distinguish between suppliers and manufacturers."
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