Bereng Mpaki
THE Lesotho Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has commended the Ministry of Trade and Industry for establishing a new website that will promote Lesotho as an investment destination.
LCCI secretary general Fako Hakane said this during the recent launch of the website by the Trade minister Halebonoe Setšabi.
He said the website would create lasting value for the ministry’s advertising.
“With other types of advertising media, you pay per advert and if you do not get a return on investment from that particular advert, it’s your own loss,” Mr Hakane said.
“However, with the website in place, all you need is good marketing strategies.”
Mr Hakane said the presence of the ministry online would help to promote the country.
He also urged the ministry to ensure that the website is kept up to date instead of remaining dormant as that would actually be destructive.
Computer Business Solutions, who developed the website said online presence was crucial for different organisations.
“A website allows the organisation to participate in the cyber world, which is the direction that the rest of the world taking. Increasingly, services are delivered efficiently, faster, conveniently and safely online. So, a website is a big step for the ministry in disseminating information on line,” CBS managing director Mohlalefi Sefika said.
“With the website, the ministry has opened a new dedicated office where clients will get services all the time without having to physically travel,” Mr Sefika added.
The ministry already has some services available online among them company registry.
For his part, Mr Setšabi said the ministry has to embrace the information technology age to expand service delivery.
“It is not a secret that we are living in the information technology age. Information technology is useful in reducing costs and unnecessary procedures. Our website will therefore be a platform to share information on evolving trends on trade, bilateral agreements and upcoming international exhibitions and many more,” Mr Setšabi said.
Apart from reducing walk-ins at the ministry, the website also has a whistle blower form to bring to the authorities’ attention unethical practices. The whistle blower will remain unnamed.
The minister said their old website was no longer effective hence it required an upgrade.
“We had a ministry website in the past, but it had become outdated, so we decided to upgrade it for more advanced features,” the minister said.
He said they also avoided outsourcing the web development services outside the country to avoid expensive back-up and maintenance costs.
