Leina Gabaraane, Stanbic Bank Chief Executive, addresses guests at official opening of National Agriculture Show

Stanbic Bank Botswana, in collaboration with Business Botswana and in association with Accpro Accountants, University of Botswana’s Department of Economics and Motswedi Securities will review the National Budget at its 5th Annual forum countrywide.

The forum is meant to unpack the National Budget following its delivery by the Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Kenneth Matambo. The National Budget reviews continue to be a strong practice in Botswana and are aimed at simplifying the budget to clients who seek further expert analysis and an understanding of factors affecting local economic growth. It is against this background that Stanbic Bank Botswana and Business Botswana will engage key clients and stakeholders in Francistown, Selibe Phikwe and Maun for the Bank’s now annual National Budget Review Forum.

• The primary objective of the Forum is to educate the public on financial and economic matters, and work towards a better understanding of the effect that the National Budget will have on their personal lives and businesses. The platform further aims to gain greater insight into the climate of commerce and trade for the upcoming year.

• “The forums give members of the public a unique opportunity of demystifying the budget to get a greater understanding of the country’s financial status,” Stanbic MD, Leina Gabaraane said.

• “As a leading financial institution in Botswana, we believe we have a social responsibility of ensuring that this very important matter is understood by all Batswana because an in-depth understanding of the budget will help unearth opportunities for our clients,” he added.

The annual Forum, now in its 5th year, will be held in three legs at Cresta Bosele in Selebi Phikwe, Cresta Thapama in Francistown and Maun Lodge in Maun. They will take place on 2nd and 3rd of February 2016 respectively.

Gabaraane added that they as they had hosted these budget review breakfasts with the University of Botswana economics department, Motswedi Securities and Accpro, they are excited that the review sessions will be in collaboration with Business Botswana.

“We are also very excited to  include Selebi Phikwe in the road shows, including more stakeholders and widening the venues is consistent with our believe that everyone in Botswana should have a sound understanding of the budget. . Also important is to note that the three venues selected are critical economic hubs of mining and tourism which are very important for the Government’s drive to reduce unemployment,” he said.