Free State Provincial Government ups its gear on stimulating local economy
The Free State Provincial Government’s Executive Council (EXCO) held an extended meeting on Tuesday, 30 October 2018, in Mangaung, Bloemfontein. The meeting considered, amongst others, the procurement spend of the Free State Provincial Government from 2015 until 2018.
The Extended Executive Council meeting, chaired by the Premier of the Free State, Hon. Sefora ‘Sisi’ Ntombela, was attended by Members of the Executive Council (MECs), Heads of Departments (HODs), and other invited senior managers from departments.
The Extended EXCO noted the considerable progress made in ensuring that government budget was used as a tool to promote local businesses, to grow and transform the economy. The Free State Provincial Government remains convinced that, through procurement spend, we can contribute meaningfully towards ensuring that the wealth is shared amongst all South Africans, the majority of whom are African and female.
After considering this detailed report, the EXCO resolved as follows;
- That the Economic and Infrastructure, as well as the Governance Clusters develop and ensure the implementation of a Plan of Action to ensure that all departments and entities spread their procurement spends across all Districts of the province, and that it is representative of targeted sectors, including women, youth, rural and township enterprises, as well as persons with disabilities;
- That procurement spend is radically biased towards Free State enterprises, with the goal to stimulate the local economy.
The EXCO is convinced that it is only through the stimulation of the economy, and through development of enterprises, that our people shall be less reliant of social grants and interventions aimed at social relief of distress.
The EXCO noted that since 2009, when the province experienced a negative growth rate of -2.2%, the provincial economy has grown, albeit at a declining rate. The Free State Provincial Government has identified the following sectors as key in the provincial economic matrix; Agriculture, Mining (though the sector is declining); Tourism, Manufacturing, Trade and Construction, amongst others.
“Working together with all stakeholders, including organised labour, informal and formal business as well as civil society in general, the Free State Provincial Government shall turn the economic situation around. We are confident, and we are hopeful”, Hon. Premier Ntombela said.
Enquiries:
Tiisetso Makhele
Email: tiisetso.makhele@fspremier.gov.za / makhelets@live.com
Tel: 051 405 5799
Fax: 0866129419
Cell: 076 833 0033
