Maseru, May.21- More than M1 million was spent on the international travels of the Principal Secretary (PS) in the Ministry of Trade and Industry since her appointment in June 2024.
This information was revealed by Deputy Prime Minister Justice Nthomeng Majara in the National Assembly on Thursday. She was responding to a question from Basotho National Party (BNP) Leader Mr. Machasetsa Mofomobe regarding the PS’s appointment date, the total number of international trips undertaken, including countries visited, travel dates, airfares for each trip, per diems issued, and the overall total expenses.
Justice Majara stated that, of the mentioned amount, M715,747.80 was allocated for subsistence allowances, while airfare amounted to M936,86.00.
She noted that the PS has made a total of 18 international trips from July 2024 to April 2026. These trips included eight to South Africa, one each to Botswana, Namibia, Morocco, Cameroon, Switzerland, Turkey, the United States, two to Japan, and one to India.
The PS attended various conferences, including those related to Multilateral Trade Organizations, Special Economic Zones, and Southern African Customs Union Secretariat Meetings, among others.
Additionally, the Agency has learned that the Ministry of Trade and Industry was allocated a budget of M423.8 million for the 2025/2026 financial year.
Ends/LP/BM
