Former Francistown mayor, Iqbal Ebrahim strongly beliefs that the second city has great potential in turning into an industrial hub of note in the north side of the country. In a wide range interview with The Patriot on Sunday, the 68 year old renowned businessman notes that Francistown is strategically positioned as it is the gateway to neighbouring countries such as Zambia, Zimbabwe and to some extent, Namibia. By its proximity to the aforementioned SADC countries, Ebrahim is of the view that the city has readily available market for products that could be manufactured in Francistown. “Another competitive advantage that Francistown has is the huge chunks of industrial and commercial plots at Gerald Estates that are currently un-utilized,” said the former Botswana Confederation of Commerce, Industry and Manpower (BOCCIM) president which is now known as Business Botswana. Ebrahim holds that for Francistown to be able to attract investors to come and set up in it, the leadership should be investor friendly adding that currently it is still a bit cumbersome for expatriate investors to be given resident and work permits. He admits that progress has been made since President Mokgweetsi Masisi ascended to the presidency, in attempting to relax laws…