growth
24 February 2006
The Premier's Economic Advisory Committee (EAC) met yesterday at Umhloti
Lodge, Nelspruit to deliberate on how to attract local and foreign investments
to the province. The council also discussed how to ensure that large companies
like SASOL, Columbus Steel, Mondi, SAPPI, ESKOM and mining companies who have
large investments in Mpumalanga procure in the province rather than outside as
is the case at the moment.
Similarly, the council also identified government departments, like the
Department of Education who continue to procure material like books from
outside the province. The council agreed that there was a need to develop
industries that would ensure that this procurement is done in the province or
alternatively to attract those companies outside to relocate in Mpumalanga.
Procurement for Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) companies was identified as
a key sector that could create business opportunities and invariably large
scale much needed jobs.
Another area that was identified as a transversal key challenge to the
province was the need for people with skills, particularly artisans. A
resolution was taken to engage the sector education and training authorities
(SETAs), who have huge budgets for skills training. Secondly, it was also
agreed upon that the province should investigate the possibilities of
establishing vocational training centres and that it should position itself
nationally as the centre for training artisans.
The EAC is chaired by Dave Martin, the CEO of Columbus Steel. Other members
are Cheryl Carolus, chairperson of the National Parks Board; Dr. Anna
Mokgokong, businesswoman; Josephilda Nhlapo-Hlope, Development Bank of Southern
Africa; Lumkile Mondi, an economist at the Industrial Development Corporation
(IDC); Marinus Sieberhagen, CEO of SASOL; Laurie Bosman President Agric South
Africa and Agric Mpumalanga and Archie Palane from National Union of
Mineworkers (NUM).
The EAC is a policy support think thank to the Premier. It monitors the
unfolding of economic activities in the province and advice on how these can be
tapped for the benefit of the province. Its diverse membership ensures that
wide and a variety of views are expressed than would be if only government
departments were part of the discourse on growing the province.
Another critical role of the council is to develop a programme of action of
economic activities it considers imperative to ensure that Mpumalanga has a
consistent and flourishing economic growth pattern.
Contact:
Lebona Mosia
Tel: 013 7662244
Cell: 082 5616465l
E-mail: mosia@nel.mpu.gov.za
Issued by: Office of the Premier, Mpumalanga Provincial Government
24 February 2006
