covid19portal.gov.bw : COVID-19 Relief Fund Botswana

Organization : Government of Botswana
Facility : COVID-19 Relief Fund
Country : Botswana
Website : https://covid19portal.gov.bw/covid-19-relief-fund

Botswana COVID-19 Relief Fund

The Government has established the COVID-19 Relief Fund and put up an investment of Two Billion Pula as seed money into it. Individuals and the private sector are encouraged to contribute to this fund, the latter, as part of their social responsibility.

Accounts have been opened at First National Bank, Standard Chartered, Absa, Stanbic, Bank Gaborone, First Capital Bank, BancABC, Bank of Baroda as well as Bank of Botswana.

Bank Details

1. First National Bank :
Account Name: Covid-19 (Corona Virus) Relief Fund
Branch name: First Place Branch
Code: 281467
Account Number: 62848017720
Swift Code: FIRNBWGX

2. Standard Charted Bank :
Account Name: Covid-19 (Corona Virus) Relief Fund
Branch name: Mall Branch
Code: 662167
Account Number: 0100158992205
Swift Code: SCHBBWGXXXX

3. ABSA Bank Botswana Limited :
Account Name: Covid-19 (Corona Virus) Relief Fund
Branch name: Government Enclave Branch
Branch Code: 290267
Account Number: 1044199
Swift Code: BARCBWGX

4. Bank Gaborone :
Account Name: Covid-19 (Corona Virus) Relief Fund
Branch name: Mall Branch
Code: 200667
Account Number: 8001161691
Swift Code: BGLIBWGX

5. Stanbic Bank Botswana:
Account Name: Covid-19 (Corona Virus) Relief Fund
Branch name: Fairground Branch
Code: 064967
Account Number: 9060003968532

6. First Capital Bank :
Account Name: Covid-19 (Corona Virus) Relief Fund
Branch name: Broadhurst
Branch Code: 800467
Account Number: 0004704032059
Swift Code: FRCGBWGA

7. BancABC :
Account Name: Covid-19 (Corona Virus) Relief Fund
Branch name: Corporate
Branch Code: 552067
Account Number: 3318904640700
Swift Code: FMBZBWGA

8. Bank of Baroda :
Account Name: Covid-19 (Corona Virus) Relief Fund
Branch name: Main Mall
Branch Code: 110-167
Account Number: 95210200002777
Swift Code: BARBBWGXXXX

For external donors, an account has been opened with Bank of Botswana:
Bank of Botswana
Government Remittance Account: 0101000016620000
Branch Code 91-01-67
SWIFT Code: BBOTBWGX

Donations in kind can be made through District Commissioners across the country.

Assistance for Businesses

To give businesses some cash-flow relief the Government will do the following
** Guarantee loans by commercial banks to businesses mostly affected by COVID-19

** Give eligible businesses affected by COVID-19 access to credit to support ongoing operations in conditions where credit becomes more difficult to obtain
** Give tax concessions to businesses in eligible sectors.

The Ministry of Finance and Economic Development will provide more details on the criteria and guidelines for implementation of these particular measures.

Furthermore, to facilitate doing business and keep the economy running
** All Government institutions will pay Government Purchase Orders (GPOs) within five (5) days and parastatals to will pay within 24 hours.
** The efficiency of procurement processes will be improved

** Government will pay all outstanding arrears for invoices within two (2) weeks and extended the validity period for GPOs
** VAT refunds to businesses will be expedited to assist with cash flow.

In the financial services industry :
** Banks have agreed to offer restructuring of loan facilities through which each bank will consider each case within their credit policy and parameters. This will include owner-occupied residential property mortgages and motor vehicle loans.

** All commercial banks will offer a payment holiday for three (3) months with the option to extend to six (6) months to the affected sectors.

** Regular payment obligations including life insurance premium payment, retirement fund contributions and loan instalments will be restructured and rescheduled to offer relief for at least three months to COVID-19 affected people subject to individual policies.