President Jacob Zuma: Conclusion of engagements with CEOs, Presidents and Secretaries-General of labour federations

Deputy President,

Ministers,

Leaders of Business and Labour,

Ladies and gentlemen,

 

In February this year I convened a meeting of chief executive officers of major companies and captains of industry to discuss ways in which we can work together to reignite economic growth and create jobs.

 

I mandated the Minister of Finance to lead a process of engaging with the private sector in particular to map out a strategy to the goal of growing the economy.

 

We have met this evening to assess progress made since the last meeting in Cape Town. We were joined by the Presidents and Secretaries-General of FEDUSA, COSATU and NACTU. We are pleased that labour has joined these talks which are aimed at arresting slow growth and to save and create jobs.

 

The Black Business Council has also joined the process and will be participating actively.

 

We have already seen the value of working together.

 

Leaders from labour and business joined the Minister of Finance on a roadshow abroad early this year to promote the country and prevent a possible credit ratings downgrade.

 

The hard work is paying off, and we saw the evidence this weekend with the announcement by Moody’s.

 

In affirming the sovereign credit rating on Friday, Moody’s ratings agency noted that South Africa was  approaching a turning point after years of weak growth. This is confirmation that our collaborative approach has been successful.

 

While our economy has recovered from the global financial crisis, the level of economic growth has been much weaker than previously anticipated.

 

Part of this is due to the challenging global economic environment. At the same time, we recognize as government that there are also some domestic constraints that we must attend to.

 

The National Development Plan sets out the structural reforms that should be implemented to create an enabling environment for job creation and inclusive growth to address the triple challenges of poverty, inequality and unemployment.

 

As government we have translated the NDP into an implementable programme, the medium-term strategic framework, which sets out government goals and priorities from the NDP over five years. 

 

We have responded to the crisis by introducing the 9-point plan to boost growth and employment, within the framework of the NDP.

 

The nine point plan focuses on energy, infrastructure development, agriculture and agro-processing, mineral beneficiation, a higher impact Industrial Policy Action Plan, small business development and encouraging private sector investment amongst others.

 

In the last year, substantial progress has been made in these areas.

 

However, faster and more successful outcomes will be achieved when we work together pursuing common goals as government, business, labour and civil society.

 

That is why we are pleased that we are working together more than ever before, as the various sectors. This is truly a very positive development for our country.

 

To further respond to the challenges we face, we have decided on some short-term interventions, in addition to implementing the nine point plan.

 

One of these is to reduce policy uncertainty and shore up confidence in the government’s ability to deliver on its promise of boosting growth.

 

More than that, we need some concrete initiatives which ensure a turn-around in our economic fortunes. 

 

I am pleased to announce these initiatives.

 

They include the following:

 

First, is a joint private and public sector fund for Small Business Support will be established with roughly 50:50 contributions by the partners. The focus is to provide “venture” capital-type funding and mentoring to the target groups, especially black entrepreneurs.

 

Secondly, to accelerate inclusive growth, we must expand investment.

 

In this regard, the model we used for renewable Independent Power Producers offers valuable lessons. As part of scaling up investment we will move with speed to extend the model to coal and gas as I had announced in the State of the Nation Address in February.

 

Third, we have agreed to expand government and private sector co-investment in infrastructure.

 

This project seeks to use the Independent Power Producer model for other infrastructure investments and explore the possibility of private sector investment in state owned companies.

 

Fourth, we are exploring appropriate mechanisms of strengthening our State owned enterprises so that we reduce the risk they pose to the fiscus so that they can play a stronger role in driving development.

 

Fifth, the credit ratings workstream will identify potential areas of reforms and interventions to avert further credit rating downgrades. 

 

On behalf of government, let me commend business for its efforts and desire to partner with government in taking the country forward.

 

We also thank Labour for joining the process with a positive spirit and for pledging to become active passengers in this wagon that is moving South Africa forward under a difficult economic climate.

 

I will be having a special meeting with Labour soon to take discussions forward.

 

Today’s meeting is yet another major achievement for our country.

 

The workstreams that were established in February will continue their work and work out an implementation programme.

 

South Africa is now beginning to realise how we can work together as Team South Africa in the interest of our country and people.

 

We look forward to substantial progress being made within a short space of time.

 

We remain optimistic that we will be able to weather the storm, especially if we continue working together in this manner.

 

Together, we move South Africa Forward.

 

I thank you.