Belgo-Luxemborg Agreement; SACU/ Zambia Trade Agreement

Documents handed out
Proposed committee programme (at the end of the minutes)

MINUTES OF SELECT COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC AND FOREIGN AFFAIRS

Monday, 14 September 1998 (at 10:00)

PRESENT:
Chairperson: Mr HJP Lebona
Free State
Mr HJP Lebona
Gauteng
Mr HG Makgothi
Ms QD Mahlangu
KwaZulu-Natal
Rev KM Zondi
Northern Cape
Mr SJ Mongwaketse
Northern Province
Ms I Mutsila
North West
Mr TT Mukhuba
Western Cape
Mr PG Marais

Apologies: Mr AAB Bruwer, Rev M Henry and Mr AE Van Niekerk.

The following persons were also in attendance:
Mr G Hattingh, Assistant-director: Dept of Trade and Industry;
Mr R Moody, Assistant-director: Dept of Trade and Industry;
Mr M Mkhuhlu, Chief Director: Dept of Trade and Industry; and
Ms S Naidoo, Parliamentary Officer: Dept of Trade and Industry.

1 a) RSA/Belgo-Luxembourg Investments Agreement
Mr Moody made a presentation on the Belgo-Luxembourg Agreement. This Agreement was approved in 1996 in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution (Act 200 of 1993) The essence of the request for approval is to bring the Agreement in line with the provisions of the new Constitution (Act 108 of 1996)

The Committee approved the Agreement.

1 b) SACU/Zambia Trade Agreement
Mr Ghandhi briefed the Committee on the background to this Agreement. Zambia sought preferential access to certain products and so made application to the Member States of the Southern African Customs Union (SACU). This Agreement is an effort to immediately address the trade imbalance between South Africa and Zambia. The SADC Agreement will go further that this agreement as many of the products will be traded without quota regulations. This will open the door to free trade. It is envisaged that similar Agreements will be approved by the other Member States of SACU

The Committee approved the Agreement.

2. Committee Programme
The Proposed Committee programme was circulated a copy of which is attached. The Committee agreed that the programme as set out gives it the necessary time to consider all the legislation it needs to. Also, joint hearings will be held with the Portfolio Committee on Trade and Industry on the Liquor Bill [B 115-98]. These hearings will commence on Wednesday, 16 September 1998. Further detail on the hearings will be forwarded to the members of the Committee.

The Committee adjourned at 10:36.

Mr HJP Lebona
Chairperson

MEMORANDUM
[For Information]

Various bills will have to be processed by the Committee before Parliament rises for the recess. Hereunder please find the proposed programme of the Committee with regard to the various bills.

MONDAY, 28 SEPTEMBER 1998
Briefing on the Liquor Bill [B 115-98] (sec 76)

WEDNESDAY, 30 SEPTEMBER 1998
Briefings on: Competition Bill [B 98-981 (sec 75)
Estates Agents A/B [B 40B-98] (sec 75)
National Empowerment Fund Bill [B 121-98] (sec 75)

MONDAY, 5 OCTOBER 1998
Finalisation of: Competition Bill [B 98-98] (sec 75)
Estates Agents A/B [B 40B-98] (sec 75)
National Empowerment Fund Bill [B 121-98] (sec 75)

TUESDAY, 6 OCTOBER 1998
PLENARY on Competition Bill and Estate Agents A/B

WEDNESDAY, 21 OCTOBER 1998
Negotiating mandate on Liquor Bill [B 115-98] (sec 76)

MONDAY, 2 NOVEMBER 1998
Final mandate on Liquor Bill [B 115-98) (sec 76)