Economic Development

2011-03-10

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QUESTION NO.: 3828
DATE OF PUBLICATION: 25 NOVEMBER 2011
Mr S C Motau (DA) to ask the Minister of Economic Development:

Whether any other persons have driven (a) his and (b) his Deputy Minister's official blue light fitted vehicles; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, in each case, in respect of the (i) 2009-10 and (ii) 2010-11 financial years, (aa) what is each specified person's (aaa) name and (bbb) designation, (bb) which vehicle and (cc) why? NW4619E

REPLY

Authorised members of the SAPS drive the official vehicles. Their details are known to the SAPS. To date, no request has been received from departmental drivers to use the official vehicles.

QUESTION NO.: 3707

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 25 NOVEMBER 2011

Mr N Singh (IFP) to ask the Minister of Economic Development:

(1) Whether any officials in his department (a) have been investigated, (b) are currently under investigation and (c) have been charged for alleged (i) corrupt or (ii) fraudulent activity; if so, what are the relevant details;

(2) whether any disciplinary action has been taken against employees of his department for (a) fraud and/or (b) corruption; if so, (i) how many instances of disciplinary actions have (aa) been finalised and (bb) not been finalised and (ii) in each case, (aa) what sanctions have been meted out and (bb) how long has it taken to finalise such disciplinary actions;

(3) whether he has found that his department has adequate investigative capacity inclusive of manpower and infrastructure in respect of disciplinary proceedings; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW4488E

REPLY

The Department advised that no charges involving fraud or corruption have been investigated and that it has adequate investigative capacity should the need arise.

QUESTION NO.: 3566
DATE OF PUBLICATION: 18 NOVEMBER 2011
Mr N Singh (IFP) to ask the Minister of Economic Development:

Whether the Competition Commission has completed the inquiry into the cost of bank charges; if not, why not; if so, (a) what were the findings, (b) when will the findings be made public and (c) what are the reasons for the delay in completing the inquiry? NW4306E

REPLY

The "Banking Enquiry", as it became known, was conducted by a Panel paid for and appointed by the Commission, but proceeded independently of the Commission. All details may be found at: http://www.compcom.co.za/enquiry-in-to-banking/

(a) The Panel made its recommendations known in June 2008 by releasing an Executive Overview of its findings, available at:

http://www.compcom.co.za/assets/Banking/Executive-overview.pdf . The executive summary contains a summary of the Panel's diagnosis of the various issues examined, as well as all recommendations made by the Panel.

(b) All findings of the Panel have been publicly available since June 2008.

The full technical report underpinning the Panel's findings became available in December 2008, and is available here: http://www.compcom.co.za/technical-report/

(c) Not applicable

QUESTION NO.: 3532

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 11 NOVEMBER 2011

Dr P J Rabie (DA) to ask the Minister of Economic Development:

Whether the recent agreement between the textile industry and the SA Clothing and Textile Workers Union, in terms of which lower wages will be accepted provided that new jobs are created by the employer, will be extended to other sectors of the economy; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW4236E

REPLY

The agreement reflects the response of employers and workers in the clothing industry to the specific pressures and opportunities faced by that industry. It is the product of collective bargaining in the sector.

QUESTION NO.: 3478

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 11 NOVEMBER 2011

Mr G B D Mc Intosh (Cope) to ask the Minister of Economic Development:

Whether, with reference to his reply to oral question 124 on 24 August 2011, he held any meetings with Walmart executives; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what (a) are the details of each meeting that was held, (b) was the managerial level of each of the Walmart executives with whom he met (c) was the (i) agenda and (ii) outcome of each meeting? NW4152E

REPLY

I have held a number of meetings with senior officials of Walmart, including with Mr Doug McMillon, CEO of Walmart International, Mr Andy Bond, Mr Leslie Dach and Mr Grant Pattison. These discussions explored the positions of the parties on support for local manufacturers and farmers and on local employment. In light of legal proceedings that have not yet been completed, some of the discussions were held on a without-prejudice basis and it would accordingly not be appropriate to provide further details.

QUESTION NO.: 3408

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 4 NOVEMBER 2011

Dr P J Rabie (DA) to ask the Minister of Economic Development:

Whether the Government intends relaxing regulatory measures that relate to trade and labour issues including (a) permits, (b) taxation and (c) access to finance in order to reduce the cost of doing business with (i) small and (ii) medium firms; if not, why not, in each case; if so, what are the relevant details in each case? NW4093E

REPLY

Government is committed to reducing unnecessary costs for business in general and small and medium firms in particular. We have focused on addressing collusive and monopoly pricing on inputs and consumer goods; reducing unnecessary red tape, especially around water and environmental impact assessments and consolidating small business funding institutions. The appropriate support for businesses are the subject of work being done in government as set out in the 2011 MTBPS of the Minister of Finance, announcements made by Cabinet and current consultation with Social Partners.

QUESTION NO.: 3274

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 28 OCTOBER 2011

Mr M H Hoosen (ID) to ask the Minister of Economic Development:

What amount in orders has been placed, with each specified travel agency that has been contracted by his office, (a) in the 2010-11 financial year and (b) during the period 1 April 2011 up to the latest specified date for which information is available? NW3740E

REPLY

The Economic Development Department has placed orders with Nexus Travel agent as follows during the respective financial years:

(a) 2010-11 financial year's orders placed amounted to R6, 386,735.87.

(b) During the current financial year (2011-12) orders placed up to October 2011 amounted to R3, 194,637.16.

QUESTION NO.: 3061

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 14 OCTOBER 2011

Mrs H Lamoela (DA) to ask the Minister of Economic Development:

(1) Whether (a) he, (b) the Deputy Minister and (c) any senior officials of his department intend to visit or have visited New Zealand during the 2011 Rugby World Cup Tournament; if so, what is the (i)(aa) name, (bb) rank and (cc) position or designation of each specified person accompanying (aaa) him, (bbb) the Deputy Minister and (ccc) each specified senior official and (ii)(aa) nature and (bb) official reason for the visit;

(2) what (a) total amount will be spent or has been spent on the trip and (b) is the (i) description and (ii) detailed breakdown of the amounts that will be spent or have been spent on (aa) accommodation, (bb) travel and (cc) subsistence costs? NW3583E

REPLY

(1)(a) and (b) No.

(1)(c) Not on official duties. Private travel during leave period is not recorded.

(2) Not applicable.

QUESTION NO.: 3046

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 14 OCTOBER 2011

Mr S J F Marais (DA) to ask the Minister of Economic Development:

(1) Whether he has implemented any measures to ensure that local governments adopt strategies in support of the National Growth Path (NGP); if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;

(2) whether his department has determined which (a) provinces and (b) local governments are best positioned to support NGP strategies; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW3534E

REPLY

Several measures have been taken to ensure local governments adopt strategies in support of the NGP:

Local government has been drawn into the implementation of the New Growth Path through the Economic MINMEC (where it is represented by SALGA) where the priorities of the NGP are discussed, blockages and challenges at local government are addressed and coordinated with other National Departments for solutions. The department has also conducted bilateral discussions with specific local authorities. To date, extensive discussions have taken place on the alignment of strategies with the NGP, as well as on priority projects to be unblocked or implemented with the following local authorities: Johannesburg Metropolitan Council, Ekuhurleni Metro, Ethekwini Metro, Tshwane Metro and Cape Town Metro. The Executive Mayors of the following Metros attended sessions of the Economic MINMEC that dealt with aspects of the New Growth Path, namely: City of Tshwane, Nelson Mandela Metro and Ekurhuleni and an MMC from the City of Johannesburg.

Discussions have also been held with a number of smaller local authorities as part of the Anti-Poverty visits led by the Deputy President. The department has conducted reviews of the economic drivers in these localities and have made proposals for spatial economic development interventions. This year (2011), the following localities were visited:

· North West Province, Greater Taung Local Municipality (Ward 14) Manthe Village on 26 February 2011;

· Kwazulu-Natal, Msinga Municipality (Ward 9) on 9 April 2011; and

· Northern Cape, Renosterberg Local Municipality on 24 and 25 June 2011.

· Limpopo Province, Capricorn District, Blouberg Municipality, Ga Kgatla village on 8 October 2011.

During these anti-poverty visits the DFIs (IDC, SAMAF, and KHULA) identify possible projects for funding, package new opportunities, and look at how to expand existing initiatives that they are supporting in the area.

EDD is working with the Department of Cooperative Governance to ensure that the IDPs and LED strategies of local government are revised and aligned to the NGP to ensure that job creation is central to economic policy making and planning processes throughout Government

The approach is to review opportunities in each of the provinces. The

implementation of the NGP involves an array of stakeholders across the public

sector, the private sector, community and labour.

QUESTION NO.: 3045

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 14 OCTOBER 2011

Mr S J F Marais (DA) to ask the Minister of Economic Development:

(1) Whether he has been informed that the Director-General of his department has not declared his business interests; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the reasons for this failure to declare his business interests;

(2) whether he has identified any business interests of his Director-General that are in conflict with the Director-General's objectivity when executing his responsibilities on behalf of the department; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what action does he intend taking in this regard;

(3) what steps does he intend taking to ensure that similar situations do not recur in future? NW3533E

REPLY

(1) The Director-General submitted his financial disclosure form to my Office prior to the deadline for submission to the Public Service Commission.

(2) The Director-General does not have business interests.

(3) Not applicable.

QUESTION NO.: 3044

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 14 OCTOBER 2011

Mr T D Harris (DA) to ask the Minister of Economic Development:

Whether his department has developed criteria for intervention in competition cases; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW3532E

REPLY

Section 18(1) of the Competition Act, 2009, empowers the Minister of Economic Development to participate as a party in any intermediate or large merger proceedings before the Competition Commission, Competition Tribunal or the Competition Appeal Court, "[i]n order to make representations on any public interest ground referred to in section 12A(3)".

Section 12A(3) requires the Competition Commission and Competition Tribunal to consider the effect that the merger will have on –

(a) a particular industrial sector or region;

(b) employment;

(c) the ability of small businesses, or firms controlled or owned by historically disadvantaged persons, to become competitive; and

(d) the ability of national industries to compete in international markets.

Criteria for intervention in Competition cases are therefore based on the public interest grounds articulated in Section 12A(3) of the Competition Act, 2009.

QUESTION NO.: 3018

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 14 OCTOBER 2011

Dr D T George (DA) to ask the Minister of Economic Development:

(1) Whether (a) his department and (b) any entity reporting to him was approached by a certain political organisation (name furnished) to contribute to its 66^th birthday celebrations; if so, in each case, (i) which entities and (ii) what was the (aa) nature and (bb) value of the contribution that was requested;

(2) whether (a) his department and (b) any of the specified entities reporting to him agreed to the request; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, in each case, (i) who approved the request, (ii) what was the justification for the agreement to the request and (iii) from which budget will the contribution be paid;

(3) whether (a) his department and (b) any of the specified entities reporting to him made financial contributions to the said political organisation without being approached for such financial contributions; if so, in each case, (i) what amount will be contributed, (ii) from which budget, (iii) who made the decision to provide the specified funds to the said political organisation and (iv) how is this (aa) decision and (bb) amount justified;

(4) whether (a) his department and (b) any of the entities reporting to him rely on any (i) statutory and (ii) policy provisions in (aa) agreeing and (bb) making such contribution; if not, in each case, what is the position in this regard; if so, in each case, what are the relevant details? NW3502E

REPLY

(1) to (3) No.

(4) Not applicable.

QUESTION NO.: 2998

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 14 OCTOBER 2011

Dr P J Rabie (DA) to ask the Minister of Economic Development:

Whether the Government intends removing the 22% duty on fabric which clothing manufacturers have appealed against; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW3482E

REPLY

In addition to current measures in place, Government is looking at additional ways to support the manufacturing industry. Announcements will be made when the support measures are finalised.

QUESTION NO.: 2984

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 14 OCTOBER 2011

Mr N Singh (IFP) to ask the Minister of Economic Development:

What definition of the word ''job'' does he use in relation to the creation of jobs in terms of the New Growth Path plan to create five million new jobs in the next decade, with specific reference to (a) term and (b) sustainability of employment? NW3468E

REPLY

The New Growth Path set out the key targets of jobs in specific industries. The term of employment is affected by the sector involved and the nature of the economic activity. For example, in infrastructure development, construction jobs are for the duration of the build programme, while maintenance and operation jobs are permanent. In manufacturing, jobs are generally permanent.

QUESTION NO.: 2966

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 23 SEPTEMBER 2011

Mr L S Ngonyama (Cope) to ask the Minister of Economic Development:

Whether any job losses are envisaged as a result of the merger of Khula, the South African Micro Finance Apex Fund (SAMAF) and the Industrial Development Corporation of South Africa Ltd (IDC) small business activities; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) how many jobs from each institution, (b) at which levels of operation and (c) what are the further relevant details? NW3442E

REPLY

No job losses are envisaged as a result of the merger of Khula, SAMAF and the IDC small business activities. Khula currently has 102 staff and SAMAF currently has 54 staff.

As part of its commitment to effective provision of access to finance for SMMEs, EDD is envisaging that the merger will create a high performance entity that keeps its overhead costs down.

The new entity will align staff to operational requirements by transferring staff through discussions with the representative unions and retraining of staff.

As part of the processes towards the establishment of the merged entity consultations will take place with the union representing staff on the matching and placing of staff, retraining of staff if required, and if necessary appropriate placement of staff to fill vacancies in other government departments.

QUESTION NO.: 2965

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 23 SEPTEMBER 2011

Mr L S Ngonyama (Cope) to ask the Minister of Economic Development:

What are the relevant details of his call for more active partnerships in the labour law debate (details furnished)? NW3441E

REPLY

The call for stronger partnerships was made in Parliament, at a meeting of the Portfolio Committee on Economic Development.

The call is based on the experience of a number of companies and countries that show the benefits of cooperation and partnership. This requires that the goals of partnership must be to promote inclusive growth: creation of more jobs, higher incomes for workers, job security and opportunities for career advancement (through training and promotion). Trade unions and business representatives can develop workplace, sector and economy-wide agreements to promote these outcomes. Government in the New Growth Path calls for such partnerships to be actively forged.

This call for partnership has been followed through in the social dialogue with business and labour on the New Growth Path. As these discussions conclude in agreements, details will be released.

In addition, the Minister of Labour is engaging the constituencies through Nedlac on reforms to the labour legislation. That process is still underway.

At sector and workplace level, partnerships are being developed, on matters such as training, improving operational performance and wage agreements. One example is the recently-announced agreement in the clothing industry which seeks to address the need for creating additional jobs with protection of the rights and jobs of existing workers.

QUESTION NO.: 2901

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 23 SEPTEMBER 2011

Mrs A Steyn (DA) to ask the Minister of Economic Development:

(1) Whether his department has placed any (a) companies or (b) persons on the List of Restricted Suppliers, thereby prohibiting the public sector to do business with them; if so, in each case, what is the (i) name of said entity or person, (ii) nature of their business, (iii) reason for restricting this service and (iv) date on which they were restricted;

(2) whether any of the implicated (a) companies or (b) persons have since been removed from the list; if so, in each case, (i) which entity or person, (ii) when and (iii) what is the reason for removing the specified company or person from the list;

(3) whether his department has conducted any business with any of the (a) companies that or (b) person who have been removed from the list; if so, in each case (i) with which companies or persons, (ii) with regard to which services, (iii) for which time period and (iv) why did his department engage the specified company or person despite previous conduct? NW3372E

REPLY

(1) The Economic Development Department (EDD) has not placed any companies or persons on the List of Restricted Suppliers which would prohibit them from doing business with the public sector.

(2) & (3) Not applicable.

QUESTION NO.: 2855

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 23 SEPTEMBER 2011

Mr J F Smalle (DA) to ask the Minister of Economic Development:

(1) (a) How many applications for immunity has the Competition Commission received in the (i) 2009-10 and (ii) 2010-11 financial years and (b) which companies applied;

(2) whether any company successfully applied for immunity; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW3323E

REPLY

(1) (a) The Commission received (i) 79 applications for corporate leniency in the 2009/2010 financial year, and (ii) 33 in the 2010/2011 financial year.

(b) Due to the confidential nature of the leniency applications, the names of the applicants cannot be divulged.

(2) During the 2009/2010 financial year Premier Foods Ltd was granted immunity with regard to the investigations into collusive practices in wheat flour and mealie meal (milled white maize) which were subsequently referred to the Tribunal.

No company received immunity in terms of the Corporate Leniency Policy in the 2010/2011 financial year.

QUESTION NO.: 2763

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 16 SEPTEMBER 2011

Mr J J Mc Gluwa (ID) to ask the Minister of Economic Development:

What is the (a) current amount of duty fees charged on the import of fabric, (b) extent of Government's support for (i) young and (ii) new entrepreneurs entering the clothing and textile industry and (c) percentage that the local clothing and textile industry represents in (i) exports and (ii) the gross domestic product (GDP)? NW3225E

REPLY

(a) The current customs duty on fabric is 22 per cent ad valorem. Actual duties are lower as a result of rebates and bilateral trade agreements.

(b) Governmentis currently assisting young and new entrepreneurs in the design of textile and clothing sector through the establishment of a National Fashion Council of SA. One of its main aims is the development of aspirant and emergent designers. The Small Enterprise Development Agency (SEDA) has a number of incubator programmes for example the SEDA Technology Programme which develops innovative technology – based platforms that result in the creation of sustainable, globally competitive SMMEs that contribute towards the accelerated growth of our economy.

(ii) According to the Quarterly Labour Force Survey, the sector contributed 1,8% of total employment in the second quarter of 2011 (down from 2% three years earlier), of which most from clothing, and 13,7% of manufacturing employment. It is estimated that clothing, textiles and footwear contributed 0,4% of total value added in 2011 and 3% of manufacturing value added.

QUESTION 1728

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 28 May 2010

Internal question paper no:

Mrs H Lamoela (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

Whether her (a) department or (b) any of its entities has signed any contractual agreements with certain companies (names furnished*) or any of their affiliates; if so, (i) what is the nature of each contract, (ii) what is the (aa) start and (bb) end date of each contract, (iii) what is the monetary value of each contract, (iv) what are the details of the process that was undertaken for the signing of each contract, (v) who else tendered for each contract that was awarded to these companies and (vi) what amount did each tenderer quote in each case? NW1994E

Referring to the following companies and any affiliates

· 101 Junus Trading CC

· Blue Nightingale Trading 61

· Ever Roaring Investment

· SGL Engineering Projects

REPLY:

(a) and (b)(i),(ii)(aa),(bb);(iii)(iv),(v),(vi)

No by the Department of Social Development, the National Development Agency and the South African Social Security Agency. The names or the affiliates of the above-mentioned companies could not be obtained to determine of the Department has entered into contracts with anyone of them.

Only the Companies and Intellectual Property Registration Office (CIPRO) can determine which are affiliates to the above-mentioned companies, there after the Departments will be able to establish if contracts were entered into with any such company.

QUESTION NO.: 2556

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 9 SEPTEMBER 2011

Ms C C September (ANC) to ask the Minister of Economic Development:

Whether (a) his department and (b) the entities reporting to him have implemented any energy-saving (i) practices or (ii) devices for buildings, offices and boardrooms in the 2010-11 financial year; if not, why not, in each case; if so, what are the relevant details in each case? NW2782E

REPLY

The Economic Development Department and five of the agencies reporting to it namely, the Competition Commission, Competition Tribunal (Tribunal), International Trade Administration of South Africa (ITAC), South African Micro-finance Apex fund (Samaf) and Khula Enterprise Limited are accommodated at the dti campus. The Building Management System (BMS) governs all buildings, offices and boardrooms at the campus. Through this system, lights are automatically switched off between 19H30 until 07H00, air conditioners between 19H00 to 05H00 and geysers between 20H00 – 06H00 daily. The whole campus is using energy saving bulbs.

In addition to these, the Competition Tribunal has since September 2011 implemented a recycling project for tin, paper and electronic equipment. These quantities are recorded and as at end March 2011, the Tribunal had recycled 87.6 kgs. In addition, the Tribunal purchases recycled or tree-friendly paper for office printing purposes and encourage reduced size printing and or printing on both sides of the paper. They also re-use scrap paper for printing and made a conscious decision to print their 2010/2011 Annual Report on recycled paper. The Tribunal has reduced the number of hard copies to be printed to a minimum and produced the bulk on CD's instead.

The Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) is not located within the dti campus and its energy-saving measures include:

Heating, Ventilating, Air Conditioning (HVAC) and Electrical Systems

A complete upgrade of the HVAC and Electrical systems was done as part of an energy saving drive. The upgrade was completed end of 2010.

Board Rooms and Offices

All fluorescent light fittings were replaced with efficient energy fittings which reduced power consumption by 30% in the main Building (Building 1) and 6% in Building 2. These energy efficient lights operate with sensors to turn off when offices are not in use. Board rooms and meeting rooms have been fitted with dimmers for efficient power usage and these lights are turned off when not in use. Signs have been put up requesting staff to switch lights off when leaving the rooms.

Through-out the Premises

The lighting along the passages and walk ways are fitted with sensors and at night they will automatically turn off and only come on when they sense person(s) movement along a given area.

Air conditioning

Old water and air cooled chillers were replaced with two high Efficiency chillers. The running periods for the Air conditioning system are controlled by timers which turns the system off after hours and over weekends.

Power Factor Correction

Power factor correction units have been installed in the IDC buildings. This has resulted in a big savings on the maximum demand per month.

QUESTION NO.: 2512

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 2 SEPTEMBER 2011

Mr J R B Lorimer (DA) to ask the Minister of Economic Development:

Whether (a) his department and (b) entities reporting to it have (i) awarded any tenders and (ii) concluded any (aa) contracts and (bb) financial transactions with certain companies (names and details furnished) in each specified financial year since 2005-06; if so, (aaa) which company or entity, (bbb) what are the relevant details, (ccc) what was the value of each (aaaa) tender, (bbbb) contract or (cccc) financial transaction and (ddd) what was the name of the companies who failed for each tender, contract or financial transaction that was awarded? NW2931E

REPLY

The Economic Development Department and the entities reporting to it have not awarded any tender or entered into any contractual agreement with the companies referred to in the question.

QUESTION NO.: 2327

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 26 AUGUST 2011

Mr T D Lee (DA) to ask the Minister of Economic Development:

(1) Whether (a) his department and (b) any entity reporting to him was approached by a certain political organisation (name furnished) to contribute to its centenary celebrations; if so, in each case, (i) which entities and (ii) what was the (aa) nature and (bb) value of the contribution that was requested;

(4). whether (a) his department and (b) any of the entities reporting to him rely on any (i) statutory and (ii) policy provisions in (aa) agreeing and (bb) making such contribution; if not, in each case, what is the position in this regard; if so, in each case, what are the relevant details? NW2703E

REPLY

(1) and (3) No.

(2) and (4) Not applicable.

QUESTION NO.: 2222

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 19 AUGUST 2011

Mr G R Krumbock (DA) to ask the Minister of Economic Development:

(1) Whether (a) he, (b) his deputy minister, (c) any specified officials and (d) any other persons have been issued with a government or official credit card during the period 1 April 2010 up to the latest specified date for which information is available; if so, what are the relevant details for him, his deputy minister and each holder of a credit card in respect of the (i) name, (ii) job title, (iii) credit limit, (iv) outstanding amount as at the latest specified date for which information is available, (v) monthly expenses incurred for each month since receiving the credit card, (vi) reason for such persons being issued with a credit card and (vii) uses that such a credit card is intended for;

(2) whether any such credit cards are over their credit limit; if so, (a) whose credit cards are over the limit and (b) what is the reason for the credit cards exceeding the limit;

(3) whether any action has been taken against such persons for exceeding their credit card limits; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW2597E

REPLY

(1) No credit cards were issued to the Minister, Deputy-Minister, Director-General or any official in the Economic Development Department.

(2) & (3) Not applicable.

QUESTION NO.: 2149

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 19 AUGUST 2011

Mrs D R Tsotetsi(ANC) to ask the Minister of Economic Development:

What (a) plans and (b) evaluation mechanisms did he put in place between the Government and the private sector to ensure that sustainable jobs are created? NW2505E

REPLY

Government has worked with the private sector as well as public agencies that interface with the private sector, in the promotion of long-term fixed investment that can create sustainable jobs. Some of these efforts are focused at sector level while others are at either company or economy-wide level.

The Industrial Development Corporation now collects employment data, including new jobs created, from recipients of its industrial funding portfolio. This data reflects sustainable job creation as well as short-term jobs, and tracks both past performance as well as future projects. Reports are made available to government and released periodically by the Minister of Economic Development and by the IDC. A similar exercise will be introduced for the small business funding entity once it has been consolidated.

The programme developed in partnership with the auto sector is an example of a sector intervention. The programme has attracted substantial new investment into South Africa, details of which was provided to Parliament during the debate on the State of the Nation Address in February 2011. Information on the employment performance of the auto sector is made available through Stats SA and industry associations.

In the mining sector, government collects information on actual employment performance of the sector and can check these against projected employment.

In addition to these sector-level examples, government is assisting specific investment projects with sustainable job creation potential, to unblock obstacles that delay such investments.

The infrastructure programme provides the means for faster and more inclusive growth and plans are being stepped up in this regard. State-owned enterprises are now being requested to take into account sustainable job potential of user companies, when they commit resources to infrastructure development. For example, when a new rail-line can unlock additional mining jobs in an area, the SOE will be encouraged to fast-track finalisation of its plans.

In some cases, regulators (for example the competition authorities) apply employment conditions to specific transactions and they provide for monitoring and reporting arrangements as part of the approvals.

In a number of specific measures, such as the skills accord, the development of new skills will increase the capacity of the economy to create sustainable jobs. A reporting mechanism has been set up for business, labour and government to report on progress made with the targets on skill development, internship positions and use of training facilities.

A number of Accords are currently under discussion and these will contain appropriate monitoring mechanisms to track the commitments made.

QUESTION NO.: 2148

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 19 AUGUST 2011

Mr N E Gcwabaza(ANC) to ask the Minister of Economic Development:

Whether the Government has any plans in place that involves industrial parks such as those, inter alia, funded by certain corporations (names furnished); if so, what (a) are the relevant details of these plans, (b) manufacturing activities are (i) taking place or (ii) envisaged to take place in these areas that will contribute towards economic development and (c) are the further relevant details? NW2504E

REPLY

I draw the Honourable Member's attention to my reply to Parliamentary Question on township industrial infrastructure.

In addition to that reply, I advise that efforts are underway, including by the DTI and Khula, that involve industrial parks.

For the financial year 2011/12 the focus is on the King Sabata Dalindyebo Municipality and Dimbaza. The number of industrial parks that the government will be focusing on will increase once the strategy is finalised and more resources are mobilised.

Khula inherited a number of industrial parks from the old Small Business Development Corporation (SBDC). These industrial parks are not doing particularly well but are maintained and overseen by Khula (through a managing agent). The merger process underway will among other things address the future of industrial parks, their rationale and their contribution to small business promotion efforts.

A supplementary reply will be provided on completion of the process set out in the reply to Parliamentary Question 2134.

QUESTION NO.: 2147

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 19 AUGUST 2011

2147. Mr N E Gcwabaza (ANC) to ask the Minister of Economic Development:

What progress has his department made in (a) dealing with the challenges faced by the spheres of government including, inter alia, misalignment of provincial and national economic development, lack of basic infrastructure and lack of provincial economic links and (b) ensuring that regulations at these spheres of government (i) are not compromised by poor regulatory policies and (ii) do not lead to duplication and overlapping of responsibilities? NW2503E

REPLY

The Economic Development Department (EDD) and the Department of Trade and Industry co-chair a MinMec forum, which comprises MECs responsible for economic development from the nine provinces and representatives from SALGA. These meetings are attended by the development finance institutions reporting to EDD, namely the IDC, Khula and SAMAF. The forum is supported by the technical MinMec co-chaired by the DGs from the two national departments and includes senior officials from provinces, metros and their entities.

The MinMec meetings held to date explored strategies to support economic development projects in the provinces and metros to address the challenge of unemployment, skills development, industrial development, the Green Economy, and the alignment of economic growth and development plans and strategies to the objectives of the NGP and the IPAP2.

EDD is implementing a structured and systematic process of engagement with provinces and municipalities to promote economic growth and employment creation by ensuring alignment between their Provincial Growth and Development Strategies (PGDS), Spatial Development Framework (SDF), Integrated Development Plans (IDPs), Local Economic Development Plans (LEDs) on the one hand, and the NGP and IPAP on the other. EDD also assists them in identifying and unblocking obstacles to priority projects that could catalyse economic growth and employment creation.

Engagements to strengthen alignment have been held with the following provinces: Gauteng, Eastern Cape, Mpumalanga, Western Cape, North-West and Limpopo and in September engagements with KwaZulu-Natal, Free State Province and the Northern Cape are scheduled. Engagements with provinces will also assist in developing the national economic perspective which would reflect the region's competitive and comparative advantages and address spatial disparities both between regions and within regions/provinces.

This alignment process will complement the employment impact reporting programme that the department is developing with the National Department of Performance Monitoring and Evaluation.

The recently-announced Presidential Infrastructure Coordination Commission will address amongst others, the infrastructure challenges at provincial level.

QUESTION NO.: 2146

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 19 AUGUST 2011

Mr Z C Ntuli (ANC) to ask the Minister of Economic Development:

What (a) progress has been made with regard to the (i) macro accords reflected in the New Growth Path and (ii) sector and workplace productivity agreements supplementing the National Productivity Accord and (b) challenges are his department facing in each case? NW2502E

REPLY

Government and Social Partners agreed in February 2011 to identify an initial list of issues on which social dialogue would centre. The result has been the successful conclusion of two Accords, namely on Skills Development and on Basic Education. Copies of these two Accords have been circulated to Members of the Portfolio Committee on Economic Development.

Discussions are taking place on, inter-alia:-

· Local Procurement

· The Green Economy

· Enterprise Development

It is expected that in the next three months, these discussions will be concluded.

Details of the Accords will be released as they are concluded.

Additional areas are now being identified, including infrastructure development and the challenges in the real economy.

It is expected that such discussions will lay the basis for greater uptake in sector and workplace productivity agreements.

QUESTION NO.: 2145

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 19 AUGUST 2011

Mrs D R Tsotetsi (ANC) to ask the Minister of Economic Development:

Since the introduction of the New Growth Path, (a) which stakeholders are involved in the social dialogue and (b) what benefits has he identified by this approach to the achievement of the broader government objectives? NW2501E

REPLY

The objective of government is to strengthen its engagement with society and with social partners and this can be achieved by amongst other things, through improving the function and capability of institutions, and strengthening the participation of organised sectors of society within them. Without this capacity it is likely that the environment for engagement will be reactive and that productive partnership will not emerge.

It was therefore critical for Economic Development Department (EDD) to create avenues for dialogue on the New Growth Path (NGP) to provide imaginative and effective strategies to create the millions of new jobs South Africa needs. EDD has formed a social dialogue platform bringing together business, labour and community constituencies. A number of key challenges have been discussed in the forum including Basic Education, Skills, Procurement, Infrastructure, Enterprise Development (small business and social enterprises), Green Economy and Actions to Remove Red Tape.

This engagement led to business, labour, community and government agreeing to partnerships to achieving the New Growth Path target of five million jobs by 2020. Accords on skills and basic education have been signed.

The Skills Accord commits business and the state to enrol at least 30 000 artisan trainees over the next 12 months in training programmes. Business has agreed to make at least 17 000 internship places available for young persons who need work experience as part of obtaining their formal qualifications. Business further committed to advocating an increase in the spending on training to at least 4% to 6% of payroll and to training beyond the needs of their own operations where there is capacity. Organised labour committed to accepting that such additional persons be regarded as trainees and not as employees, and thus there would not be an expectation they be employed and covered by collective agreements.

The Basic Education Accord commits social partners to supporting dysfunctional schools through partnership at local level. The support through the accord will range from ensuring textbooks are delivered and used, that school governing bodies are functioning and that there is a change in the mindsets of teachers, learners and parents at school level.

In terms of the envisaged local content procurement the social partners, particularly business, are discussing practical ways to support the new preferential procurement regulations that will ensure that the public sector as a whole procures goods and services in terms of stipulated local content requirements. These will include fleet and capital goods procurement by Government and State-Owned Enterprises involved in major infrastructural investments. We believe this is will have significant impact on the supply chains of goods and services by the private sector and improve labour absorption rates in the country.

Dialogue has begun on further joint commitments with a range of additional areas (enterprise development, infrastructure investment and the green economy, among others) to be finalised within the next few months.

The broader government objective is to improve the skills levels and equip all South Africans to participate in our democracy and economy as a whole and to provide a supply of highly skilled labour linked to the skills transfer programme and an ongoing commitment to upgrade domestic education on a broad basis.

QUESTION NO.: 2134

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 19 AUGUST 2011

Mr X Mabasa (ANC) to ask the Minister of Economic Development:

Whether, with reference to the limited support given by the Government to township industries like Emdeni Industrial Park and Orlando East Industrial Park, his department intends taking any steps to ensure that township industry is supported by the Government; if not, why not; if so, what steps? NW2414E

REPLY

I have reviewed a brief report on the state of the Emndeni and Orlando West Industrial Parks. It is clear that these facilities are not properly maintained and managed. Township industrial activities need to be stimulated on scale as part of the effort to improve sustainable livelihoods and encourage new start-up companies.

I have therefore requested a full report on the support that should be provided to township industrial infrastructure. The report is expected by November 2011 and I will supplement this reply as soon as the commissioned work has been completed.

QUESTION NO.: 2133

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 19 AUGUST 2011

Mr X Mabasa (ANC) to ask the Minister of Economic Development:

(1) Whether he has taken action to coordinate any complementary steps by the three spheres of government in conjunction with the private sector in an attempt to find a solution for the problem of unemployment; if not, why not; if so, what (a) action and (b) are the further relevant details;

(2) whether these efforts have been found to be effective in reducing the rate of unemployment; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW2413E

REPLY

Steps have been taken to coordinate efforts by the three spheres of government and the private sector on job creation. Details of the Intergovernmental processes are set out in the reply to parliamentary question 2147 (attached) and should be read together with this reply.

The EDD has convened the NGP Social Dialogue, partnering with business, labour and community constituencies to achieve the target, and has already signed accords on skills development and basic education. Accords on local procurement and the green economy are being discussed by the parties.

The National Skills Accord works towards addressing the skills shortages in the country. It was developed by constituents who identified a number of commitments they could make on training and skills development.

In terms of the envisaged local content procurement the social partners, particularly business, are discussing practical ways to support the new preferential procurement regulations that will ensure that the public sector as a whole procures goods and services it terms of stipulated local content requirements. These will include fleet and capital goods procurement by Government and State-Owned Enterprises involved in major infrastructural investments. We believe this is will have significant impact on the supply chains of goods and services by the private sector and improve labour absorption rates in the country.

One key area of work has been in implementing the Framework for South Africa's Response to the international economic crisis which was concluded between government, organised business, and the labour movement and community representatives in February 2009.

Three of the key employment and industrial interventions that flowed from the framework agreement were the Training Layoff Scheme, a fund administered by the IDC for companies in distress and a Jobs Fund financed with a R2 billion development bond issued by the IDC, fully subscribed by the Unemployment Insurance Fund and registered with the JSE.

The Training Layoff Scheme was reported to have saved 7 279 jobs up to the end of July 2011. The Fund for distressed companies, administered by the IDC, saved or created a further 29 479 jobs by end of July 2011.

According to UIF figures an additional 19 906 jobs were reported saved or created through the Jobs Fund financed by a R2 billion development bond that was issued by the IDC, as at June 2011.

The efforts are contributing to an improved environment for growth.

A number of project specific measures are currently being supported or evaluated, to improve job creation opportunities. Details on the jobs growth are set out in the reply to question 94, submitted on 25 August 2011.

QUESTION NO.: 2012

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 5 AUGUST 2011

Mr G R Krumbock (DA) to ask the Minister of Economic Development:

(a) At how many (i) international and (ii) domestic hotels/guest houses were (aa) he and (bb) his Deputy Minister accommodated during the period 1 April 2009 up to the latest specified date for which information is available and (b) what (i) was the (aa) name, (bb) star rating and (cc) city location of each specified establishment, (ii) was the (aa) duration and (bb) purpose of the stay in each case and (iii)(aa) was the total cost of the accommodation and (bb) is the breakdown of the accommodation cost in each case? NW2258E

REPLY

Details for domestic hotels/guesthouses are as follows:

(a) For the 17-month period 1 April 2010 to 30 August 2011, Minister Ebrahim Patel spent eight nights at hotels or guesthouses. The total cost was R10 500.

(b) For the 7-month period 1 April 2010 to 31 October 2010, Deputy Minister Gwen Mahlangu-Nkabinde spent five nights at hotels or guesthouses. The total cost was R10 9 858.

(c) For the 10-month period 1 November 2010 to 31 August 2010, Deputy Minister Enoch Godongwana spent seven nights at hotels or guesthouses. The total cost was R16 208.

Details for stays at hotels during trips will be supplied in a supplementary reply.

QUESTION NO.: 2012

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 5 AUGUST 2011

Mr G R Krumbock (DA) to ask the Minister of Economic Development:

REPLY

The information is being collated and a more detailed reply will be prepared on completion of this process.

QUESTION NO.: 1938

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 29 JULY 2011

Mr G R Krumbock (DA) to ask the Minister of Economic Development:

(a) How many (i) international flights and (ii) domestic flights were undertaken by (aa) him and (bb) his deputy minister using (aaa) military aircraft, (bbb) chartered aircraft or (ccc) commercial aircraft during the period 1 April 2010 up to the latest specified date for which information is available, (b) what class did he and his deputy minister travel in each case and (c) what amount did his department spend with regard to each specified flight? NW2176E

REPLY

Minister of Economic Development

International travel

Between 1 April 2010 and 24 June 2011, the Minister undertook six international trips (to seven countries, with three countries visited on one trip and one country visited on two occasions). This travel involved 25 separate flights.

All travel is business class where such seats are available. In one case, travel was in economy (one leg) and one leg in first class when no business class seats were available. For domestic travel inside of China on the airlines used, business class seats are designated as 'first class' and no separate business class seats are available.

Domestic travel

In the same period, the Minister undertook 125 domestic flights, six in economy class and the remainder in business class.

One domestic flight was undertaken on a military aircraft and another on a chartered aircraft. In neither case did the Department incur any expense, since the costs were borne by other government departments.

Costs incurred

The total amount spent on these airfares was R790 961.

Additional information

Information for then Deputy Minister Mahlangu-Nkabinde and Deputy Minister Godongwana will be forwarded in a separate supplementary reply.

QUESTION NO.: 1904

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 29 JULY 2011

Mr S J F Marais (DA) to ask the Minister of Economic Development:

Whether he has employed a ministerial special advisor; if so, (a) what are the duties of the advisor, (b) at which post level was the appointment made, (c) what is the salary level of the advisor, (d) what is the duration of the employment contract entered into with the advisor and (e) why was it necessary to appoint this advisor? NW2142E

REPLY

(a) Yes, a Special Advisor has been appointed to provide strategic advice in accordance with section 12A of the Public Service Act, 1994.

(b) Compensation Level IV.

(d) From 15 June 2011 to 31 December 2011.

(e) To advise and perform tasks as provided for in section 12A of the Public Service Act with respect to economic development issues.

QUESTION NO.: 1861

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 29 JULY 2011

Mr J F Smalle (DA) to ask the Minister of Economic Development:

What was the value of bonuses paid to members of the Executive Board of Directors of the Industrial Development Corporation of SA Ltd (a)(i) in total and (ii) for each member in the (aa) 2008-09, (bb) 2009-10 and (cc) 2010-11 financial years and (b) what is the reason/motivation for all the escalations in excess of 10% between the 2009-10 and 2010-11 financial years? NW2099E

REPLY

The information requested under (a) of Question 1861 for 2008-9 and 2009-10 is available in the Annual Report of the Industrial Development Corporation 2010 tabled in parliament. Details for 2008/9 are set out on page 149 and details for 2009/10 are set out on page 148.

The annual report of the IDC for 2010-11 will be tabled in parliament shortly and will contain details of the information for 2010/11.

A supplementary reply will be submitted in respect of the question set out in (b) and for the information for 2010/11.

QUESTION NO.: 1701

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 24 JUNE 2011

Mr S J F Marais (DA) to ask the Minister of Economic Development:

(2) (a) what was the actual budget increase each year, expressed as a percentage, for funds allocated to this sub-programme and (b) how is the increase for each specified financial year justified? NW1915E

REPLY

(1) (a) & (b) No expenditure was incurred during 2007/08 and 2008/09 financial years because the Economic Development Department (EDD) had not been established.

EDD was established in May 2009 after the 2009 general elections. The following expenditure was incurred:

- Compensation of Employees – R 7,865 million

- Goods and Services - R 6,349 million

- Payment of Capital Assets - R 2,439 million

TOTAL R16,653 million

This expenditure represents all the expenditure for EDD in its first year of existence. The DG of the dti was the accounting officer for the EDD budget, which formed part of the dti's budget for 2009/10.

(d) 2010/11 financial year

The following expenditure was incurred by the Ministry sub-programme during the 2010/11 financial year:

- Compensation of Employees – R 9,865 million

- Goods and Services - R10,761 million

- Payment of Capital Assets - R 3,626 million

TOTAL R24,252 million

(2) (a) The budget was R 29 million in 2009/10 and R 17,367 million for the 2010/11 financial year. This represents a year-on-year 40% decrease.

(b) The reason for the decrease is that in 2009/10 financial year, the Ministry sub-programme was the only sub-programme that existed and thus the budget for the Ministry constituted the entire budget. In 2010/11 financial year, the department became an independent vote and had other programmes and sub-programmes.

QUESTION NO.: 1462

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 3 JUNE 2011

Mr S J F Marais (DA) to ask the Minister of Economic Development:

(a) On how many occasions since 1 March 2010 did his office hire a vehicle to transport (i) him and (ii) his Deputy Minister and (b) in each case, (i) what was the cost of hiring the vehicle, (ii) for what reason was the vehicle hired, (iii) for how many days, (iv) what (aa) make and (bb) model of vehicle was hired and (v) what total distance was travelled? NW1629E

REPLY

The information is being collated and a more detailed reply will be prepared on completion of this process.

QUESTION NO.: 1404

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 27 MAY 2011

Mr S J F Marais (DA) to ask the Minister of Economic Development:

Whether his department will oppose foreign direct investment (FDI) transactions, including FDI transactions from Chinese businesses, on the basis of labour practices conflicting with the local labour regime; if not, why not; if so, how will his department respond to FDIs from China? NW1572E

REPLY

Any application brought before the competition authorities would be scrutinised against the competition and public interest considerations set out in the Competition Act, irrespective whether the applicants are South African or foreign. In regard to ensuring compliance with legislation, Government carries out its function without reference to the nationality of any transgressor.

QUESTION NO.: 1403

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 27 MAY 2011

Mr S J F Marais (DA) to ask the Minister of Economic Development:

(1) Whether his department has interventions in place in the eventuality that the Competition Tribunal agrees to the Walmart/Massmart merger; if so, what are the relevant details; if not,

(2) whether the Government intends taking up the position of organised labour in its negotiations with Walmart; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details;

(3) whether he has found that the Walmart transaction will add value as a major source of foreign direct investment in line with the Government's policies in this regard; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW1571E

REPLY

(1) The Competition Tribunal released its decision on the merger between Walmart and Massmart and approved the merger subject to four conditions.

The conditions imposed on the parties are that the merged entity:

· may not retrench workers for a period of two years;

· must give preferential re-employment opportunities to 503 workers retrenched during June 2010 (and take into account their years of service in Massmart);

· honours existing labour agreements and not challenge SACCAWU's role as the collective bargaining agent for at least the next three years; and

· sets up a R100m Fund to support local suppliers and small businesses as well as provide training to South African suppliers on how to do business with the merged entity and Walmart.

The Competition Tribunal will supply reasons for their decision on or before 29 June 2011. Parties to the merger, trade unions or government departments may then lodge an appeal to the Competition Appeal Court should they be dissatisfied with the ruling.

Government has taken careful note of the decision of the Competition Tribunal as well as the conditions that have been imposed.

The three government departments with responsibility for employment and industrial development along the Massmart supply-chain, namely the Economic Development Department (EDD), Department of Trade and Industry (dti) and the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF), joined the proceedings at the Competition Tribunal in order to request conditions to be imposed on the merger. The requested conditions related to local procurement, job losses, labour rights and small business development.

Government had originally engaged the merger parties to attempt to secure commitments that could be incorporated as conditions to the transaction. The merger parties refused any conditions during the discussions until government decided to participate in the Competition Tribunal hearing, secured discovery of key documents through the legal process and led evidence of the impact that the merger without conditions will have on the public interest matters set out in the Competition Act. But for government's intervention, the proposed transaction would have proceeded without any proper ventilation of these issues or any measures or conditions to protect South African workers and local manufacturing capacity.

We welcome the recognition by the Competition Tribunal that a merger as contemplated should be subject to conditions. As noted, the merger parties had refused to voluntarily offer conditions at the commencement of the discussions prior to the Competition Tribunal hearing. The Competition Commission had previously recommended the approval of the transaction without conditions but changed its position in favour of conditions, based on new evidence that had emerged during the proceedings at the Competition Tribunal.

We welcome the decision by the Tribunal that there should be conditions that cover areas such as commitments to avoid job losses, protection of worker rights and measures to promote procurement of locally-manufactured goods. These matters are vital to ensure that we achieve the goal of increasing employment and decent work opportunities in South Africa.

We will study whether the specific measures and mechanisms set out in the conditions adequately meet the public interest tests set out in the Competition Act and whether they will secure the desired outcome, in particular ensuring that South Africa is not faced with large-scale job losses in supplier industries to Massmart/Walmart (both in agriculture and manufacturing) and that the merged entity provide real and effective support for local manufacturers and small manufacturers.

We will meet with Walmart/Massmart to discuss their commitments in the light of the conditions that the Tribunal has imposed and based on the statements made by Massmart and Walmart executives during the Competition Tribunal proceedings that they do not intend to materially increase the level of imports.

Based on the outcome of the study of the conditions and the responses of Walmart/Massmart, we will decide on the next steps to take. Government reserves its legal options at this stage.

(2) Government's mandate is derived from the relevant provisions of the Competition Act and the need to create work opportunities, save existing jobs here possible and expand South Africa's industrialisation efforts.

(3) Massmart operates principally in South Africa through a number of retail outlets. However, the majority of its shares are already held by foreign shareholders. During 2010, 72% of the shares of Massmart, according to the report of the Competition Commission, were held by foreign shareholders.

QUESTION NO.: 1392

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 27 MAY 2011

Dr P J Rabie (DA) to ask the Minister of Economic Development:

What measures are in place to deal with importers of illegal textiles and garments who do not comply with the agreement, signed between China and South Africa in 2006 that aims to regulate cheaper Chinese imports to protect the textile industry? NW1559E

REPLY

SARS has taken a number of steps to improve customs inspection and has conducted raids and seizures of illegally-imported goods. In the 2009 Framework Response to the International Economic Crisis, the clothing and textile industry was identified for specific attention. A Customs and Fraud Task Team was established and a number of specific measures are under consideration.

Details of successful raids have been provided in the EDD Annual Report of 2009-2010 and Question 502, published on 19 November 2010 in the National Council of Provinces. An update has been requested from SARS and once the details are available, it will be made known.

QUESTION NO.: 1390

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 27 MAY 2011

Dr P J Rabie (DA) to ask the Minister of Economic Development:

Whether, considering the regulated nature of the outdoor advertising market, his department intends investigating this segment of the industry to allow smaller companies to gain inroads into the sector and compete with larger competitors; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW1557E

REPLY

The outdoor advertising market is not currently the subject of an investigation by the Department or the Competition Commission. The Department has not received a request for such an investigation.

During the past year, the Competition Commission has not received a complaint involving companies in this market.

On 14 May 2009 the Commission initiated a complaint against two parties following a leniency application by one of the parties. The leniency application was in respect of cartel activities between the two parties. It was however decided on 24 May 2011 not to refer the matter to the Competition Tribunal as one of the parties under investigation was placed in liquidation.

Should the Competition Commission receive a valid complaint from the public, an investigation will be conducted.

QUESTION NO.: 1189

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 15 APRIL 2011

Mr S J F Marais (DA) to ask the Minister of Economic Development:

(1) With regard to provisions for policy development for Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE) made in Programme 2 of Budget Vote 28, (a) to what extent is his department impacting on the (i) BBBEE policy, (ii) principles and (iii) procedures that will influence the various BBBEE charters and score cards and (b) what (i) are his department's responsibilities and (ii) is his department's mandate in this regard;

(2) whether he envisages any conflict between his responsibilities and mandate with those of the Minister of Trade and Industry in this regard; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW1324E

REPLY

EDD works in close partnership with the dti on Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE) issues as part of a system of coordinated government.

EDD's specific mandate is to ensure that BBBEE policy is aligned with the overall economic development goals of the country. In this regard, work done to date has focused on the importance of a number of 'broad based' areas of empowerment, including skills and enterprise development, job creation and promotion of social enterprises.

The results of this work are shared with the dti who has responsibility for the amendment of the BEE scorecards to incorporate the insights that flow from work across government.

The Minister of Economic Development and the Minister of Trade and Industry serve on the BBBEE Advisory Council chaired by the President.

EDD's work on BEE has been incorporated in the New Growth Path and was presented to the BBBEE Advisory Council, which supported the framework.

QUESTION NO.: 1188

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 15 APRIL 2011

Mr S J F Marais (DA) to ask the Minister of Economic Development:

(1) What procedures were followed by his department at the time of its establishment to ensure that its (a) structures, (b) activities, (c) organogram and (d) strategic objectives were aligned with the required budget as allocated by the National Treasury;

(2) whether any consultations were held with the National Treasury in this regard; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details with regard to these specified aspects? NW1323E

REPLY

(1) All new departments received an establishment budget. This was used to develop structures, activities and objectives.

(2) A process of engagement was undertaken with the Department of Public Service and Administration and the National Treasury to ensure alignment with Public Service and Treasury Regulations. The engagements confirmed the Department's approach that its staffing would be phased in over the MTEF period. Activities were assigned to available staff and two programmes were consolidated into one to provide the Department with a more streamlined structure.

QUESTION NO.: 1153

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 15 APRIL 2011

Mr L S Ngonyama (Cope) to ask the Minister of Economic Development:

Whether, with reference to the 2010 Estimates of National Expenditure (details furnished), his department has established an advisory panel on domestic and international economic development; if not, why not; if so, (a) when was this panel established and (b) what are the further relevant details? NW1276E

REPLY

The Economic Advisory Panel (EAP) was established in March 2010. The names of the panel members were announced in the Minister's Budget Vote Speech of 21 March 2010:

· Professor Joseph Stiglitz, Nobel Economics Laureate and previously Chief Economist of the World Bank

· Professor Haroon Bhorat of UCT

· Dr Michael Power, a strategist from Investec Bank

· Professor Chris Malikane from Wits University (who later withdrew upon being appointed to the National Planning Commission)

· Mr Goolam Ballim, Group Chief Economist of Standard Bank

· Dr Olive Shisana, the CEO of the Human Sciences Research Council

· Mr Geoffrey Qhena, CEO of the Industrial Development Corporation

· Dr Simon Roberts, Chief Economist of the Competition Commission

· Dr Neva Makgetla, then Lead Economist in the development planning division of the DBSA (subsequently appointed Deputy Director-General of Economic Policy Development at EDD)

Subsequently Dr Johan van Zyl, President and CEO of Toyota South Africa, Professor Evance Kalula, Deputy Dean at UCT and Prof Ha Joon Chang were appointed to the EAP.

The panel and individual panel members provided the Minister with advice on a range of economic issues and have also met with the President.

One panel member, Prof Stiglitz, led discussion on the international context within which the New Growth Path will be realised.

QUESTION NO.: 1119

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 1 APRIL 2011

Mr S J F Marais (DA) to ask the Minister of Economic Development:

(a) What is the (i) purpose, (ii) objective and (iii) mandate of the Social Partner Fund that is indicated in Programme 4 of his department's Budget Vote, (b) how will it be funded and (c) who will benefit from the fund? NW1241E

REPLY

Strong, effective social dialogue on the New Growth Path requires properly capacitated social partners who are able to research and analyse industrial performance and employment-gaps and propose viable and effective measures dealing with issues covered in the New Growth Path, including workplace restructuring, skills development, productivity, competitiveness and equity.

The purpose of the Social Partner Fund is to provide support to social partners on institutional capacity, in order to achieve this.

The objective of the Fund is to contribute to research, education, dialogue, consensus and joint action on economic and industrial issues related to the New Growth Path in order to support an improvement in the number of decent work opportunities created in the South African economy.

The Social Fund has been budgeted for under the Capacity Building for Economic Development sub-programme in Programme 4. It will support social partners involved in programmes related to the employment goals of the NGP.

Examples of programmes which could qualify include: projects to promote knowledge, or evaluate the effectiveness, of small business incentives in the context of discussions to improve small business performance; research to develop proposals for improving productivity within a workplace or industry, or improve the savings rate within the working population or link skills development with IPAP programmes; and evaluations of the impact of social economy interventions on jobs.

QUESTION NO.: 1118

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 1 APRIL 2011

Mr S J F Marais (DA) to ask the Minister of Economic Development:

What are the permutations of the annual gross domestic product (GDP) and an increase in employment up to 2020 to achieve the target of creating 5 million new jobs, as stipulated in the New Growth Plan? NW1240E

REPLY

The following chart shows the permutations, measuring the employment outcomes of given mixes of rate of GDP growth and employment intensity of growth, starting with employment at 2010 levels. The permutations follow from basic mathematical modeling and assume fixed rates of growth and intensity over the period.

In order to achieve the jobs target, we require strong growth combined with a high employment intensity of growth (that is, the increase in employment relative to GDP growth).

As it is intended that the jobs targets would be phased in, rising progressively over the period, the growth and/or employment-intensities would similarly have to rise over the ten-years.

Fluctuations and data problems (including changes in the surveys) make it difficult to determine the historical employment intensities of growth with accuracy. However, the available data suggest it was 0.8 from 1996 (Census data) to the second quarter of 2010 (QLFS data); 0.5 from 2001 (LFS data) to the second quarter of 2010 (QLFS data); and 0.67 from 2002 (LFS data) to the second quarter of 2009 (QLFS data).

Based on the average for the period, an employment intensity of 0,5 would require a growth rate of around 6.5%, 0,67 would require a growth rate of 4,5%whilst 0,8 would require a growth rate of 4%.

QUESTION NO.: 1117

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 1 APRIL 2011

Mr S J F Marais (DA) to ask the Minister of Economic Development:

(a) With reference to growth in the gross domestic product (GDP), what are the (i) goals and (ii) targets of his department over the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework and (b) what are the (i) details and (ii) motivation for these goals and targets? NW1239E

REPLY

Government released the New Growth Path in November 2010, which targets employment as the critical outcome required in order to achieve the goals of reducing poverty and inequality and ensure balanced economic development.

Increasing the number of jobs in the economy requires growth in GDP. Expanding the number of jobs at the rate required to achieve the target of five million new jobs by 2020 will require relatively high labour-intensity of growth.

The Honourable Member's attention is drawn to the response to Parliamentary Question 1118 that sets out the relationship between growth and employment intensity.

Current projections of GDP growth for 2011 by the IDC and National Treasury is 3,4% and by the SA Reserve Bank is 3,7%.

Over the period of the NGP's jobs target (2011-2020), we will work to improve the labour-intensity and employment-outcomes of economic growth, with a progressive increase over the period to 2020 as the key measures take effect.

QUESTION NO.: 925

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 18 MARCH 2011

Dr P J Rabie (DA) to ask the Minister of Economic Development:

How will the requirements for wage levels, of a wage cap, as proposed in the New Growth Path relate to improvements in (a) productivity and (b) performance?

NW1043E

REPLY

The remuneration proposals in the New Growth Path are one element of a broader productivity accord, details of which will be negotiated with social partners. On conclusion of these discussions, agreed areas as well as the intended impact on productivity and performance will be publicly released.

QUESTION NO.: 813

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 11 MARCH 2011

Mr S J F Marais (DA) to ask the Minister of Economic Development:

Whether (a) his department or (b) any of its affiliated entities have purchased any tickets for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011; if not, why not; if so, (i) what process has been followed to purchase these tickets, (ii) how many tickets have been purchased, (iii) for which matches, (iv) what has been the total cost of these tickets, (v) what are the reasons for purchasing these tickets, (vi) to whom will each of these tickets be allocated and (vii) on what was the decision for the allocation of these tickets based? NW885E

REPLY

The Economic Development Department (EDD) and entities reporting to it did not purchase any tickets for the event referred to in the question.

QUESTION NO.: 769

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 11 MARCH 2011

Mr N Singh (IFP) to ask the Minister of Economic Development:

Whether the State provides some form of bridging finance to small and medium enterprises that have been awarded government contracts but still require cash flow to complete the contracts; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW837E

REPLY

The State through its agencies, including the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) and Khula Enterprise Finance, has provided bridging finance of about R272m (in the current financial year) to small and medium enterprises in various industries where they have secured government contracts.

This involves revolving credit facilities and bridging finance. The contracts cover areas such as the school feeding scheme programme, provisions to hospitals, and construction of schools, clinics and multipurpose centres. The IDC disbursed at least R205 million to small and medium entrepreneurs to carry out State related contracts from April 2010 to 28 February 2011 through revolving credit facilities.

Khula as a wholesale provider of finance and guarantees has through its financing partners provided R67 million bridging funding support (in the current financial year) to SMEs that have won contracts supplying goods and services to the Departments of Basic Education, Health and Public Works, amongst others.

QUESTION NO.: 768

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 11 MARCH 2011

Mr N Singh (IFP) to ask the Minister of Economic Development:

Whether the Government is providing assistance to the clothing and textile industries to protect them from international competitors; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details? NW836E

REPLY

Government provides a range of support measures to the clothing and textile industries as part of its overall industrialisation and employment programmes.

The clothing and textile industry is identified in the New Growth Path's Industrial Policy Action Plan 2 as a sector for specific focus.

The support includes the following components:

1. The Clothing and Textiles Competitiveness Programme (CTCP) was established and the main objective of the programme is to strengthen the global competitiveness of the clothing and textile industry and ensure a sustainable environment that will retain and grow employment levels. The programme is managed by the IDC. The programme has two components:-

· The clothing & Textile Competitiveness Improvement Programme (CTCIP); and

· The Production Incentive Programme (PI)

2. Illegal imports – SARS has been involved in a pilot project in the clothing industry to address high levels of illegal imports and some clear successes have been achieved, including the seizure of large quantities of illegally imported goods.

3. On trade measures, the International Trade Administration Commission has increased tariffs on certain downstream parts of the industry and has decreased tariffs on certain upstream parts of the industry. In this regard ITAC

· Increased tariffs to the bound rate of 45% for 35 categories of clothing

· Introduced 9 fabric rebate provisions for home textiles to decrease the cost of inputs, subject to certain conditions.

· Revised its time periods for investigations to ensure more expeditious trade remedies

4. Government has supported social dialogue between Business and Labour towards the achievement of a broader partnership accord which will address sustainability in the medium to long term.

5. The Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) has a range of support programmes and investment in the Clothing and Textile Sector.

6. Some companies in the sector have benefitted from the Training Layoff Scheme that provides support for workers who are subject to potential retrenchment.

QUESTION NO.: 767

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 11 MARCH 2011

Mr N Singh (IFP) to ask the Minister of Economic Development:

Whether he or his department is in talks with the unions of the 216000 workers in the clothing and textile industries with regard to pending job losses as a result of high and unsustainable wage demands; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW835E

REPLY

Government is in discussion with representatives of Trade Unions on the New Growth Path. These discussions are intended to cover a range of areas from the proposed development pact in the NGP to ways in which both Business and Labour can more actively contribute to job creation and job security.

Discussions have also been held with unions and businesses in the Clothing and Textile industry to determine a long term strategy and partnership on jobs in the sector.

This has been complemented by a range of support measures that are in place to address the jobs challenge. In this regard, attention is drawn to reply to question 768.

QUESTION FOR WRITTEN REPLY

QUESTION NO.: 731

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 7 MARCH 2011

Mr L S Ngonyama (Cope) to ask the Minister of Economic Development:

Whether his department has identified key distressed areas for which spatial economic development action plans have to be developed; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) which areas have been identified, (b) what criteria are being used for the classification and (c) what are the further relevant details? NW800E

REPLY

Municipality in the North West Province and Atlantis in the The New Growth Path (NGP) envisages the formulation of a realistic spatial framework that seeks to resolve the extraordinary differences in economic and social conditions across the country through identifying likely scenarios for human settlement patterning and economic activities.

Recognising the urgent need to prioritise areas in economic crisis manifested by high levels of poverty and unemployment, the NGP provides for the development of a set of interim criteria to target economic interventions to distressed areas and regions, as well as focus and align government action and investment in order to achieve maximum social and economic impact within the context of limited resources.

The key objectives in developing these criteria are: to formulate a mechanism for identifying nodes with high concentrations of poverty and unemployment; to prioritise these locations for economic interventions and spatial initiatives; to introduce a strategic, integrated and coordinated approach to spatial economic interventions by government programmes and departments; and to provide guidance on the nature of economic interventions required.

The criteria serve to facilitate the systematic identification of locations with high levels of joblessness and poverty, which are to be prioritised for implementation of government economic programmes such as the Comprehensive Rural Development Programme (CRDP), Community Works Programme (CPW), and War on Poverty (WoP), amongst others.

After consultation with departments such as Department of Rural Development and Land Reform (DRDLR), Department of Co-operative Governance (DCoG), the Department of Trade & Industry (dti), the National Planning Commission (NPC), the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF), the following interim criteria were developed:

· Poverty and deprivation: measured through a composite index in the form of the Indices of Multiple Deprivation in South Africa developed by the CASASP based at Oxford University;

· Employment:measured through the labour absorption rate of economic activity in a particular locality;

· Areas with low economic growth: Demonstrated through existing economic activities in an area and measured through the generation of Gross Value Added (GVA) for the specific geographic area, focusing particularly on historically disadvantaged areas, especially former homelands;

· Vulnerable municipalities:characterised as: Class 1: Most vulnerable (totaling 57) and Class 2: Vulnerable (totaling 58) local municipalities identified and listed in the 2009 State of Local Government Report published by DCoG. This metric is included to reflect the capacity of the state to respond to the challenges identified in the preceding criteria.

EDD is currently in the process of consultation around these interim criteria with the departments mentioned and other relevant stakeholders. Once the criteria have been finalised, their application will assist towards the development of a National Economic Spatial Perspective, which will identify distressed areas.

EDD analysed the Local Economic Development strategies of Bitou Municipality in the Eastern Cape, the Nkomazi Municipality in Mpumalanga, the Taung Western Cape.

NATIONAL COUNCIL OF PROVINCES

QUESTION FOR WRITTEN REPLY

QUESTION NO.: 624

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 25 NOVEMBER 2011

Mr D B Feldman (COPE-Gauteng) to ask the Minister of Economic Development:

Whether his department will furnish details relating to expenditure on (a) subsistence and travel outside of South Africa and (b) entertainment that has been incurred by (i) him and (ii) his deputy minister from 1 April 2011 up to the latest specified date for which information is available; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? CW769E

REPLY

(a) (i)The following amounts were paid to Minister Patel for subsistence and travel outside South Africa from April 2011 to 30 November 2011:

April 2011: R4 189.09

November 2011: R4 852.29

(ii) The following amounts were paid to Deputy Minister Godongwana for subsistence and travel outside South Africa from April 2011 to 30 November 2011:

May 2011: R4 206.58

September 2011: R8 627.12

(b) No entertainment costs were incurred by Minister Patel and Deputy Minister Godongwana from April 2011 to 30 November 2011.

QUESTION NO.: 568

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 25 FEBRUARY 2011

Dr P J Rabie (DA) to ask the Minister of Economic Development (transferred from Finance on 28 February 2011):

Whether he has taken any steps to create a more labour-absorbing economy; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW627E

REPLY

The New Growth Path, which proposes a variety of measures to support a more labour-absorbing economy, was adopted by Cabinet in October 2010. Since then, government has

- Agreed on priority measures for 2011/12 to ensure accelerated employment creation in the coming year, both by supporting overall growth and by encouraging relatively labour-absorbing industries, and

- Begun to establish systems to ensure more systematic assessment of and reporting on the impact of government policies, programmes and projects on employment creation.

QUESTION NO.: 601

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 7 MARCH 2011

Mr J J van der Linde (DA) to ask the Minister of Economic Development:

(1) (a) Which travel agencies or travel service providers does his department use currently and (b)(i) how and (ii) when were they appointed in each case;

(2) what was the (a) budgeted amount and (b) actual amount paid to each specified service provider for departmental travel expenditure in the (i) 2007-08, (ii) 2008-09 and (iii) 2009-10 financial years? NW644E

REPLY

(1) Since its establishment, the Economic Development Department (EDD) has been supported by the Department of Trade and Industry (the dti) for corporate management related services. (a) Currently, EDD makes use of the services of Nexus Travel, which previously traded as Harvey World Travel. (b)(i)Nexus Travel was appointed by the dti through an open tender process, (ii) with effect from 1 July 2010.

Since its establishment in July 2009 till 30 June 2010, EDD made use of Harvey World Travel which was also appointed by the dti through an open tender process on 1 July 2008.

(2) EDD had (a) budgeted R4,300,000.00, for Travel and Subsistence for (iii) the 2009/2010 financial year. A total expenditure of R3,639,867.53 was recorded as at end of March 2010. Out of the R3,639,867.53, (b) R2,539,671.20 is the actual amount paid to Nexus Travel.

(i) and (ii) are not applicable as EDD was only established in July 2009.

QUESTION NO.: 531

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 25 FEBRUARY 2011

Dr M G R Oriani-Ambrosini (IFP) to ask the Minister of Economic Development:

(1) Whether the Competition Commission (a) has received any complaints and (b) is conducting any investigation into (i) alleged anticompetitive practices, (ii) cartels and (iii)(aa) monopolistic or (bb) oligopolistic positions in the field of manufacturing and distributing of medical gases such as oxygen and purified air; if so, when (aaa) did the investigation start and (bbb) will the investigation be completed;

(2) whether the Competition Commission received the full cooperation of the relevant organs of state, including the National Treasury in respect of information related to government tenders; if not, why not; if so, how much has the fiscus suffered by reason of the prices of medical gases used in public hospitals being inflated by such practices in certain provinces;

(3) whether the Competition Commission launched investigations into both anticompetitive practices based on (a) inflating prices and (b) the dumping of products in certain provinces in order to prevent or discourage the entry of competition into the market? NW577E

REPLY

(1) The Competition Commission received a complaint in June 2010 alleging collusive tendering and market allocation in the supply of oxygen to state hospitals. The Commission advises that investigations found no evidence of anti-competitive behaviour with regard to the tender process. The Commission informed the complainant's lawyer on 25 February 2011 of its decision.

(2) National Treasury cooperated with the Competition Commission's investigation and made available information and documents for this specific tender. Given the Commission's finding, the question of harm to the fiscus was not applicable in the case.

(3) I am advised by the Competition Commission that, in terms of the Competition Act, 1998 (Act No 89 of 1998) and as set out in Rule 14 of the Competition Commission Rules, the following information, inter alia, is treated as confidential and restricted: Description of alleged prohibited conduct and any other information received by the Competition Commission in its investigation of the complaint. Such information is no longer deemed restricted once a notice of referral or non‑referral has been issued.

QUESTION NO.: 280

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 18 FEBRUARY 2011

Mr S J F Marais (DA) to ask the Minister of Economic Development:

(1) How many documents have (a) his (i) ministry and (ii) department and (b) any (i) institution or (ii) agency which receives transfers from his departmental budget classified as (aa) top secret, (bb) secret, (cc) confidential and (dd) restricted under the provisions of the Minimum Information Security Standards that were adopted by the Cabinet on 4 December 1996 in the (aaa) 2005-06, (bbb) 2006-07, (ccc) 2007-08, (ddd) 2008-09 and (eee) 2009-10 financial years;

(2) what is the (a) name and (b)(i) rank or (ii) employment level of the official who decided on the classification at each specified public body? NW301E

REPLY

(1) EDD was not in existence in the years mentioned except 2009/10. Even so it is not practicable to indicate "how many" documents have been classified. What may be useful is an indication of EDD's practice in this regard. The practice in EDD is to classify Cabinet documents "secret", including Cabinet Memoranda, their annexures and Powerpoint presentations. "Top secret" is seldom used. The practice in EDD is to classify certain reports and correspondence "confidential" for various reasons, but most often to avoid damage to the integrity of an individual or an institution. For the same reason, documentation on personnel matters is in the ordinary course classified "confidential". The classification "restricted" has not been used by EDD to date. The majority of communications to and from EDD are not classified.

The six entities reporting to EDD are: the Competition Commission; the Competition Tribunal; the International Trade Administration of South Africa; the Industrial Development Corporation; the South Africa Micro-Finance Apex Fund; and Khula Enterprise Limited. Of these only Samaf indicated that it uses MISS as one of the policies guiding the protection and release of its information. Please refer to the response to question 128 submitted to Parliament on 24 February 2011.

Samaf applies the same broad principles to classification as EDD. It has not classified anything, "secret", "top secret" or "restricted", but some documents including personnel documents have been classified "confidential".

All officials in EDD who draft Cabinet Memoranda, their annexures, Powerpoint presentations for Cabinet, reports, correspondence and other documents on behalf of the department may classify them. In the ordinary course it is the drafter who classifies a document. These officials' ranks vary from Assistant Director to Director-General.

QUESTION NO.: 494

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 25 FEBRUARY 2011

Mr S J F Marais (DA) to ask the Minister of Economic Development:

Whether (a) his department or (b) any (i) agency or (ii) institution which receives transfers from his departmental budget employs staff to perform the duties set out in the Minimum Information and Security Standards (Miss) that were adopted by Cabinet on 4 December 1996 or any subsequent version of the Miss; if not, why not, in each case; if so, in each case, (aa) how many and (bb) what (aaa) is the job title, (bbb) is the employment level, (ccc) are the academic qualifications, (ddd) is the salary and (eee) are the other benefits of each specified staff member? NW539E

REPLY

No staff employed solely to ensure compliance with the MISS. The duties are carried out by a range of staff members as appropriate to their portfolios. The Director-General makes the necessary delegation to ensure compliance with the MISS.

QUESTION NO.: 466

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 25 FEBRUARY 2011

Dr P J Rabie (DA) to ask the Minister of Economic Development:

Whether the investment by motor vehicle manufacturers which was announced by him in the House during the State of the Nation address debate on 15 February 2011 will also include investment in the manufacturing of eco-friendly vehicles and parts; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW506E

REPLY

The announcement made on 15 March 2011 covered the plans of a number of automotive manufactures. These include companies who source eco-friendly components such as automotive catalytic converters, which reduce the toxicity of emissions from internal combustion engines.

NATIONAL COUNCIL OF PROVINCES

QUESTION FOR WRITTEN REPLY

QUESTION NO.: 129

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 18 MARCH 2011

Mr K A Sinclair (COPE-NC) to ask the Minister of Economic Development:

Whether South Africa will use the experience gained from Egypt and other North African countries (details furnished ) in drafting South Africa's policies on growth and job creation; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? CW155E

REPLY

South Africa is a democracy and has a range of institutions to protect the public interest. Policies on growth and job creation have been drafted taking into account good practice internationally.

NATIONAL COUNCIL OF PROVINCES

QUESTION FOR WRITTEN REPLY

QUESTION NO.: 98

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 18 MARCH 2011

Mr D B Feldman (COPE-Gauteng) to ask the Minister of Economic Development:

Whether his department will conduct an investigation into allegations of collusion and corruption relating to the MEC for Economic Development in Gauteng by announcing a project that is led by a certain company (name furnished) to build a new R1 billion steel mill in Ekurhuleni and a R21 billion deal between certain companies (names furnished); if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details? CW135E

REPLY

The Department has no knowledge of the matters referred to in the question.

2011-03-10

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