Bereng Mpaki

LESOTHO National Development Corporation (LNDC) will on 6-7 October this year host a two-day forum to review the trade and investment climate in the country over the 50 years of the country’s independence.

LNDC’s Domestic Investment Manager, Semethe Raleche, told the Sunday Express the forum would be held at the ‘Manthabiseng Convention Centre in Maseru.

He said, among other things, trade and investment body would engage local and foreign investors on the successes and challenges experienced by Lesotho in promoting trade, investment and financing development.

Mr Raleche said the forum would also enable the LNDC to get feedback from investors on their experiences in doing business in the country.

“The expected outcome of the forum is a deeper understanding and appreciation of existing opportunities for investment and trade beyond 50 years of independence,” he said.

“It is expected the forum will further enable appreciation of the role of development finance in financing economic and private sector development.”

Mr Raleche indicated the forum would include seminars on different topics such as the role of development institutions in the country’s economic development, the investment climate, reforms as well as the role finance institutions play in financing the country’s economic development.

The Industrial Development Corporation of South Africa (IDC) and the China-Africa Development Fund are also expected to make presentations.

“The trade promotion seminars of the forum will provide a platform for discussing key trade issues relating to customs regulations, market access and access to finance,” he said there would be exhibitions of various products.

“It will further provide a platform for unpacking investment and market opportunities for local products as well as provide information on access to finance and private sector support services offered by different partner institutions.”

Other issues on the forum’s agenda include trade promotion activities and the development the small business sector.

The forum would be open for different businesses from small to large companies.

While there would be no participation fee, interested organisations and individuals would still have to register with the LNDC before 4 October. The registration process can also be initiated on the e-mail address: nyopa@lndc.org.ls.

A similar forum was held in 2014.