Ministers of Public Enterprises and Economic Development today held a meeting with the Chairpersons and CEOs of the State-Owned Enterprises (SOE) reporting to DPE.
The meeting, the first of many envisaged dialogues on the role of the SOE in the New Growth Path discussion, resolved that these entities should intensify their efforts to accelerate the pace of job-creation and skills development and training in their respective sectors.
The SOE will thus focus on the following areas:
a. SOE plans on infrastructure (by project, province and investment value per year)
b. Numbers of jobs created in each of the following categories:
i. Construction (including opportunities for labour-based construction methods)
ii. Maintenance
iii. Operation and
iv. Supplier industries
c. Localisation programme (by products and jobs)
d. Training, including targets for artisans and active use of training centres
“The SOE will be critical in our efforts to improve our competitiveness, accelerate our infrastructure investment programmes and reduce the cost of doing business, thus laying the platform for long-term growth”, said Minister Gigaba.
“We must raise our investment levels on a sustainable and consistent basis if we are to support the State’s developmental objectives.”
Minister Gigaba said the SOE should also identify and pursue opportunities on the continent. He also commented on the need for improved co-ordination between SOE and Government.
“Government must play a leadership role in unlocking opportunities for the SOE on the African continent. We must contribute to the development of the African continent, and identify key stakeholders and partners, both in the public and private sectors, to help us achieve our goals of better integration.”
The SOE will prepare their inputs on their contribution to the NGP, for further discussion at a two-day workshop to be held in early January.
For media enquiries contact:
Ayanda Shezi
Cell:079 880 2059
Source: Department of Public Enterprises
