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Building capacity to help Africa trade better

Statement on the Cabinet Meeting of 24 June 2015: Highlights

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Statement on the Cabinet Meeting of 24 June 2015: Highlights

Statement on the Cabinet Meeting of 24 June 2015: Highlights
Photo credit: SourhAfrican.com

Implementation of Key Government Programmes

Cabinet welcomed the resolutions adopted at the 25th African Union (AU) Summit which places Africa on a new path of development and growth that will enable the continent to take its rightful place in global affairs.

Resolutions included a united and functioning single military by the end of the year. Leaders pledged to accelerate the operationalisation of the African Standby Force (ASF). 

Cabinet applauded the initiative by the AU towards greater regional integration and trade through the launch of negotiations for the establishment of a continental free trade area that will forge stronger ties between African economies.  

Cabinet also welcomed the meeting of the African Union Ministers Responsible for Gender and Women’s Affairs held their meeting on the 12th of June 2015, following the 2nd AU High Level Panel on Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (HLP) which was held from the 10th-12th of June 2015 at the margins of the 25th Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly, under the Theme: “Make it Happen Through the Financial Inclusion of Women in the Agribusiness Sector”.

The outcome of the 2 meetings was a Declaration and a Call for Action on Financial Inclusion in Agribusiness. The Call for Action calls Member States to among others

  • Implement women’s right to access, control, ownership and benefit from financial resources, including access to public procurement processes in Education, information and skills development, innovative technologies and practices, to capacitate and develop women’s economic empowerment in agribusiness;

  • Intensify initiatives to create a conducive environment for women to conduct agribusiness and the agricultural value chain through prevention and responding to conflict on the Continent, addressing, adapting and mitigating climate change impacts, and addressing the impact of epidemics and natural disasters.       

  • Facilitate the development of agribusiness and agricultural value chains through mechanization, technological innovation and skills development for women

Key Cabinet decisions

Cabinet ratified the decision to designate the Maluti-A-Phofung Industrial Development Zone (MAP IDZ) at Tshiame (Industriqwa-1A), Harrismith, Free State Province. It also approved the granting of Operator Permit for this zone to the Free State Development Corporation.

The MAP IDZ designation will establish a logistics-orientated platform (Logistics Hub) 10 kilometers outside of Harrismith (the old Industriqwa site), primarily to service the automotive, light manufacturing, agro-processing and distribution/logistics sectors.

Cabinet approved that South Africa joins the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. The Bank focuses on Asian and Oceanic Region in supporting the infrastructure investments.

South Africa’s participation will strengthen its growing business relationships with the region and will also demonstrate solidarity with the region’s development aspirations.

Cabinet approved submission of the Additional Protocol to the Trade, Development and Cooperation Agreement between the European Community and its Members States to Parliament for ratification.  

The Additional Protocol takes into account the accession of the Republic of Croatia to the European Union (EU) which join later into the Protocol. The enlargement of the EU will improve SA’s market access into the EU, which will lead to creation of job opportunities, fostering economic growth, and improve consumer choices. This is in line with the National Development Plan vision of creating employment, growing the economy and promotion of exports. 

Cabinet approved that the relevant international standards and other scientific measures be implemented with a view to ensuring adequate risk management is applied when importing cattle and bovine products. This alignment of South Africa’s import requirements with international scientific guidelines, will strengthen the county’s position in international trade. This will broaden access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food for people and animals through strategic sourcing and will increase job creation through importation of beef products intended for further processing in South Africa.

Bills

Cabinet approved the introduction of the revised Promotion and Protection of Investment Bill, 2015 into Parliament.

The Bill reaffirms that South Africa remains open to foreign investment, provides adequate security and protection to all investors, and preserves the sovereign right of the South African Government to pursue developmental and transformational public policy objectives.

This is in support of the National Development Plan’s (NDP) objective of promoting investment and export growth to stimulate sustainable growth and development in South Africa.

Cabinet approved publication of the Copyright Amendment Bill, 2015 in the Government Gazette for wider consultation.

The Bill amends the Copyright Act, No 98 of 1978 and the Performers Protection Act, No 11 of 1967, which are outdated as they do not consider developments at multi-lateral level nor do they have provisions that deal with digital issues.

The Bill addresses the licensing of copyright work/material in relation to commissioned work to prevent commercial exploitation. This will help government to address the plight of musicians and performers by ensuring that royalties are paid on time by recording companies and broadcasters as most of them are dying as paupers.

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