Chief Executive Officer of CEDA, Thabo Thamane has revealed that the state owned financier forecasts to lose approximately P200 million in failed collections due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Notwithstanding the setback, Thamane told The Patriot on Sunday, in an interview that they remain confident of a rebound, hence the decision to launch facilities that will mitigate the negative impact on the pandemic on their stakeholders and clients. Another motivation for the new facilities was the recognition that Botswana found herself exposed and vulnerable due to oer dependence on neighbouring South Africa for most of goods and services consumed in the local market. Faced with debilitating impact of COVID-19 , which is spreading wildly in townships, South Africa has imposed restriction on exports to other countries as they battle to contain the spread of the virus. Thamane said CEDA has launched the Covid-19 Essential Supplies Loan facility, which will be extended to companies that are involved in the production of essentials that are related to COVID-19 or products that have a high propensity and viability to be manufactured during and beyond the pandemic. “The loan is aimed at ensuring heightened citizen participation and empowerment in the production and supply of items…