Botswana's President Mokgweetsi Masisi gives a speech during the occasion marking the International Labor Day celebrations in Francistown, Botswana, May 1, 2019. Mokgweetsi Masisi on Wednesday pledged to prioritize job creation and better pay. (Xinhua/Shingirai Madondo)
GABORONE, May 2 (Xinhua) -- Botswana's President Mokgweetsi Masisi on Wednesday pledged to prioritize job creation and better pay.
Masisi made the remarks when addressing a celebration marking the International Labor Day in Francistown, Botswana's second largest city.
"The government is targeting and prioritizing job creation through several strategies, chief amongst them, being relentless efforts to attract foreign direct investors," said Masisi.
The president also said that his government will create an enabling environment for investors to set up businesses in the southern African country.
With the unemployment rate estimated to be as high as 21 percent, fighting unemployment has been at the center of Masisi's development roadmap since he assumed office.
"My government is also committed to intensifying skills development in order to enhance the employability of trainees and promoting harmonious labor relations," he said, adding that Botswana has adopted measures that will contribute to the diversification of the economy.
