Question NW3355 to the Minister of Economic Development
22 September 2015 - NW3355
Cardo, Dr MJ to ask the Minister of Economic Development
Is his advisory panel that was announced in 2010 (details furnished) still in existence; if not, why not; if so, (a) who are the members of the specified advisory panel, (b) how often has the specified advisory panel met since 1 January 2010 and (c) what recommendations has the specified advisory panel made on (i) economic growth and (ii) employment?
Reply:
The Advisory Panel as announced in 2010 met formally on 25 May 2010, 14 July 2010 and 16 January 2011 to provide advice and information relevant to the conclusion of the New Growth Path policy document of government as well as on ways to step up industrial funding, promote the green economy and develop pro-employment measures.
After the completion of this first phase of the Panel’s work, from which we benefitted in a number of ways, I engaged with individual members of the Panel on an ‘as needed’ basis on matters connected to economic development.
These included engagements on a number of occasions with Professor Joseph Stiglitz on matters as diverse as global economic developments relevant to South Africa; and on the terms of the final submission of a competitor supplier fund proposal to the Competition Appeal Court in the Walmart merger. In this latter instance, this contributed to the final decision of the Court to impose a R240 million Fund to promote the Walmart local and small-business supply chain.
In addition, I have benefitted from the insights of Michael Power on the emergence of new economic powers; the changing role of China and its impact on the global economy; and the trade-offs inherent in different exchange-rate policies, among others.
Other members of the Panel provided their insights on contemporary economic policy matters as requested from time to time.
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