PRESS RELEASE
14 November 2008

DISTRICT ADMINISTRATOR WELCOME PRIVATE SECTOR COMPETITIVENESS PROJECT

District Administrators (DA’s) from various parts of the country were briefed on the work of the Private Sector competitiveness and Economic Diversification Project in Maseru, on Wednesday November 12, 2008.

Officiating the meeting, the acting Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Trade and Industry, Cooperatives and Marketing, Ms Mahlape Qoane said Lesotho has embarked on initiatives to improve the business climate to enable Lesotho to compete in a world that is fast becoming a global village.

She said the DA’s support is crucial to the success of the PSC Project (PSCP) as they are closest to the business communities in their districts.

The DA’s welcomed the PSCP and took the opportunity to request the PSCP to consider expanding its reach, with most calls directed to the Horticulture component.

Quthing DA, Mr. Pitso said Quthing is already producing high quality, naturally growing peaches in high quantities. He requested the PSCP to assist the farmers in Quthing to formalize their trade, and to access regional and international markets.

Thaba Tseka DA, Mr. Makhetha and Mokhotlong DA Mrs. Tsita said farmers in these districts are already producing apples, but they need assistance to improve their quality, and to access markets.

The Project Manager, Mr. Chaba Mokuku said among other interventions, farmers, who have been selected for the Horticulture pilot project that has planted 10,000 apple and cherry trees in Mahobong, Qoqolosing and Thuathe will be deployed to assist other farmers with the technical knowledge they acquired during the pilot phase of the project.

The Private Sector Competitiveness and Economic Diversification Project is designed to improve the business environment and reduce the costs of doing business in Lesotho and diversify the economy.

Ends.