Botswana's economy is grappling with steep U.S. tariffs, prompting the southern African nation to accelerate diversification and cut reliance on a narrow export base, the head of its chamber of commerce said Monday.
Norman Moleele, chief executive officer of Business Botswana, the country's main chamber of commerce, said Botswana is treating the crisis as a catalyst to advance economic transition and explore alternative markets to cushion the impact of U.S. trade measures.
Moleele noted that while U.S. tariffs on Botswana were reduced in August to between 10 to 15 percent from the initial 37 percent following diplomatic efforts, the current rate still significantly erodes the competitiveness of Botswana's products in the U.S. market.
He emphasized that blocked exports would directly undermine job creation, adding that Botswana is actively negotiating with partners such as China and tapping into the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to secure reliable alternative markets.
"If we are unable to export what we manufacture in which we thought would create employment, certainly then employment will be affected. We are negotiating, we're looking for alternative markets, we're talking to countries like China, we are part of the Africa free trade area, we are finding markets, developing markets in different areas of the world, to see to it that they are alternatives that we can rely on," said Moleele.
He highlighted that the government is pushing domestic reforms aimed at streamlining investment procedures and diversifying the economy.
Botswana seeks alternative markets as US tariffs erode export competitiveness
Botswana seeks alternative markets as US tariffs erode export competitiveness
The Iranian government is focusing on public concerns and maintaining stable supplies of essential goods amid recent protests, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a televised interview on Sunday.
In the city of Karaj, northwest of the capital Tehran, daily life has largely continued as normal. A video filmed by a local resident on Sunday shows food stores open and grocery shelves fully stocked.
"This is the block near my home, and there are some food stores here. Daily life continues here. Last night we did not see many protests in Karaj. Right now the city is very safe. This is a grocery store close to my home. All the food is available; nothing is in shortage. Here are noodles and different types of beans. Here are dairy products, cheese, and yogurt. I also checked other grocery stores and didn't see any shortages. Everything is available," said local resident Ali Reza.
Iranian officials have described recent disturbances as acts orchestrated by the "enemy," including some carried out by well-trained and armed "terrorists." The incidents have caused casualties among security personnel and civilians, as well as property damage.
The Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani has directed authorities to severely punish the "terrorists."
Meanwhile, Iran's police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan said on Sunday that the police had raised alert levels and arrested several leaders of the troublemakers during the operations on Saturday.
President Pezeshkian noted in the interview that the normal demands of the Iranian people are reasonable and justified, but they must realize that triggering riots and carrying out terrorist acts are the enemy's attempts to undermine the country. He urged the public to remain vigilant.
Also on Sunday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned that Tehran would regard U.S. and Israeli bases and facilities in the Middle East as "legitimate targets" if Washington takes military action against Iran. His remarks followed media reports saying U.S. President Donald Trump is "seriously considering authorizing a strike" against Iran.
Iranian state media reported that at least 109 members of Iran's security forces have been killed in clashes since the protests began 14 days ago. Meanwhile, human rights groups based outside the country said the number of protesters killed has exceeded 200, though the figure could not be independently verified.
The protests initially erupted over a sharp depreciation of the rial and sweeping subsidy reforms. Iranian authorities have blamed the unrest on foreign-linked agents and sanctions imposed by the United States.
Iranian president says government focusing on ensuring supplies amid protests
