Government has invested R3.9 billion in its Black Industrialists Programme, supporting around 46 projects, according to minister of trade and industry, Dr Rob Davies.
Briefing the media following a Black Economic Advisory Council meeting yesterday, he said that since the launch of the programme last year, about 8 000 jobs had been created.
He called for the programme to be extended to other sectors including construction, the service sectors and possibly commercial farming, adding that while investment had generally remained stagnant in the country, the programme continued to make strides.
Inclusivity remained key to growth said Davies. “If we try to industrialise without inclusivity, I think we will be missing out, and that’s where the Black Industrialist Programme comes in.”
He said he was confident his department would meet its target of empowering 100 black industrialists by March 2019. Davies in fact hopes to meet this target in March next year.
