Botswana's Unique Investment Climate
- Botswana is a stable democracy with an excellent track record.
- The country has recorded the highest growth rate in the world, above 13% from 1970 to 1990. The economy grew by 9.1 percent in 2001/2002.
- Botswana's credibility and credit worthiness rating by Standard and Poor's and Moody's is higher than any other sub Saharan African country.
- Botswana is the most transparent country on the African continent according to Transparency International.
- There is a well-developed legal system based on Common Law, which facilitates business and commercial activities.
- Botswana has the highest (per capita) foreign exchange reserves among the developing world (US$ 6 billion), representing 39 months import cover.
- There are no foreign exchange controls in Botswana, and profit, dividends and capital can be readily repatriated.
- Botswana was ranked number one for good governance in Africa by the World Economic Forum in June 2003.
- The Africa Growth & Opportunity Act (AGOA) of the United States offers new opportunities for duty free and quota free access to the US market.
- Botswana has acceded to international conventions and is strictly observing internationally accepted guidelines on combating money laundering and financial crime.
- Transparency International, in its Corruption Perceptions Index of 2003, rated Botswana to be the least corrupt country in Africa, and 24th least corrupt in the world on this score.
- Botswana has consistently invested a high proportion of its budget on education and skills training.
- Corporate tax is only 15 percent (for manufacturing companies and those approved to operate under the IFSC scheme) and 25 percent for non-manufacturing companies.
- Botswana offers duty- and quota-free access to the EU market through the Cotonou Agreement. Botswana is also a member of the Southern African Customs Union (SACU), an economic grouping free of tariffs which includes South Africa, Namibia, Lesotho and Swaziland.
- Botswana is also a member of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), and serves as its headquarters. The SADC Trade Protocol allows preferential access to the markets of 14 Southern African countries, or 200 million people.
- The country has a thriving domestic financial sector, which includes banks, insurance companies and a growing stock market.
- There are eight daily flights in either direction between Gaborone and Johannesburg - the major aviation hub on the continent. Traveling time is one hour. Botswana has invested in a world-class multi-service telecommunications system that facilitates remote provision of services.
- Botswana's judiciary system is ranked as 11th in the world according to the World Economic Forum, Global Technology Report 2003-2004.
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