| Overview : The Botswana’s economy continues to be less diversified and driven by primary products of diamonds, copper/nickel and beef. In addition, the country’s import bill averaged P20 billion per annum between 2005 and 2010.Thus, in 2010, a Presidential Directive CAB 11(A)/2010 was issued and it called on Government Ministries and their stakeholders to intensify efforts to diversify the economy through the Economic Diversification Drive (EDD) Short-Term Strategy and the Medium to Long-Term Strategy. The Short-Term Strategy is based on the use of Government interventions such as local procurement, the use of preference margins and citizen economic empowerment strategies to promote local production and consumption. It is aimed at achieving quick wins and early harvest of low hanging fruits in targeted sectors of the economy where private sector efficiency and competitiveness may be achieved quickly. The major aim of the Strategy is to diversify the economy and reduce the large import bill cited above. Realizing that the EDD Short-Term Strategy interventions are not sustainable in a free market economy, Government provided for the development of the EDD Medium to Long-Term (EDD MTLT) Strategy. The Strategy envisaged diversifying the economy through the development of globally competitive enterprises that need little or no Government protection and support. Its major aim was to diversify the economy into sectors that will continue to grow long after minerals have run out. Its specific objectives were to develop globally competitive sectors; diversify exports and export markets through a vibrant and globally competitive private sector; develop goods and services that comply with local and international standards; and develop an entrepreneurship culture for business growth and enhanced citizen participation in the economy. The development of the EDD Medium to Long-Term Strategy involved all Government Ministries, Independent Departments, Parastatals, the Private Sector, Labour Organizations and Civil Society, and was implemented from 2011-2016. In view of the above, the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry with the support of UNDP requires the services of an expert external evaluation consultant to evaluate the Medium to Long-Term EDD Strategy 2011-2016, with the intent of providing lessons learned and key recommendations for developing a revised EDD Strategy. | 
