Restrictive laws and regulations and excessive government red tape have been identified as some of the constraints affecting the effective development of the business sector in Lesotho at the Southern African International Dialogue (SAID) on Smart Partnership being held in Maseru. 

A panel discussion on the challenges facing the Smart Partnership Movement and challenges for growth several identified these as some of the checks on progress.
 
A member of the Mohloli Business Advocacy Group, participating in the SAID, told the Lesotho News Agency that the restrictive regulations and bureaucratic red tape are some of the constraints that stifle business. Exorbitant licence fees create an environment that is generally restrictive to doing business in Lesotho, he said.

These challenges need to be tackled by the smart partners and the partnership taken to a higher level nationally,  Mr Retšelisitsoe Theko said.

The dialogue, which has brought together several heads of state and governments as well as entrepreneurs at the National Convention Centre in Maseru ends on November 12.

11 November 2005