MPs vote to delay privatisation

Botswana's parliament this week voted to delay debate on the privatisation of state enterprises, arguing instead that a consultation process be initiated with their constituencies, 'The Botswana Gazette' reported. The White paper on privatisation proposes a plan to sell off shares in a number of parastatals, including Air Botswana and Botswana Telecommunications Corporation. The MPs, the majority of whom belong to the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) of President Festus Mogae, expressed fears that foreign investors would be the major beneficiaries of the privatisation policy.