Government committed to supporting oil and gas industry
The South African government is committed to supporting the oil and gas industry because it views it as an important contributor to the country’s economic growth. This was said by the Director of Industrial Development at the Department of Trade and Industry (the dti), Mr Kishen Pillay. He was speaking at a business and networking session hosted by the dti in conjunction with the South African Oil and Gas Alliance (SAOGA) in Sandton today.
“Department of Trade and Industry has a strong working relationship with SAOGA with the intention of growing the industry’s tremendous potential to contribute significantly to the country’s economic growth and employment creation,” said Pillay who is also a member of the SAOGA Board of Directors.
He encouraged companies operating in the oil and gas sector to access the dti’s Manufacturing Competitiveness Enhancement Programme which is one of the government’s efforts specifically aimed at supporting the manufacturing industry.
Speaking at the same event, the Chief Executive Officer of SAOGA, Mr Ebrahim Takolia said South Africa had an abundance of potential in the oil and sector that needed to be explored both on and offshore. He added that the sector still faced some challenges, notably skills. “50% of the professionals in the sector will retire soon and we still have to compete against other regions. We need to put more effort on skills development,” said Takolia.
He also stated that sub-Saharan Africa region remained one of the fastest growing and highest potential oil and gas areas in the world.
Enquiries:
Sidwell Medupe
Departmental Spokesperson
Cell: 079 492 1774
Tel: 012 394 1650
E-mail: MSMedupe@thedti.gov.za
Twitter: @the_dti
