Rebate of the Duty on Home Textiles A notice was published in respect of the proposed creation of a Rebate Item (Rebate Provision) for “Textile Bed, Table, Toilet and Kitchen Linen; Curtains, Interior Blinds, Curtain or Bed Valances, Other Furnishing Articles and Articles of Bedding and Similar Furnishing Fitted with Springs or Stuffed Internally, Fitted with any Material of Cellular Rubber or Plastics, Whether or Not Covered”. The application was lodged by Sheraton Textiles; Cotton Traders; Maytex Industries; and Classique Quiltors, who, as reason for the application, stated that the product in question was not manufactured in the Southern African Customs Union (Sacu), and that the import duties paid on the raw materials rendered the applicants uncompetitive against the imported finished product. Comment is due by 27 March 2009. Additional Notes – Petrol and Kerosene The South African Revenue Service (Sars) has published an amendment to Schedule No.1 Part 1 – “Ordinary Customs Duty” of the Customs and Excise Act. The amendment is in respect of the substitution of ADDITIONAL NOTES 1(b) and 1(f) to Chapter 27 – “Mineral Fuels, Mineral Oils and Products of their Distillation; Bituminous Substances; Mineral Waxes”. The notes in question relate to Petrol [19b)] and Illumination Kerosene [1(f)]. Petroleum Licence Round 2009 The Chief Executive of the Petroleum Agency for the Promotion of Petroleum Exploration and Exploitation announced a licence round for selected offshore petroleum blocks. Competitive bids are invited from 15 March 2009, and the closing date for bids is 30 September 2009. Application for stevedore licence Transnet National Ports Authority has published a notice announcing its intention to issue Stevedore Licences. If you are in doubt, “stevedore” is defined as to load or unload the cargo of (a ship) or to engage in the process of loading or unloading such a vessel. Applications are due by 20 March 2009. Maritime Transport Security Bill – Comment Due The Department of Transport has published a notice “Publication for Public Comments: Maritime Transport Security Bill, 2009”. The 249-page document invites comment by 01 April 2009. Merchant Shipping Tracking – Comment Due The Department of Transport has published a notice titled, Publication for Public Comments: Merchant Shipping (Long-Range Identification and Tracking of Ships) Regulations, 2009. The 14-page document invites comment by 01 April 2009. South Africa’s Framework Response to World Crisis A 25-page document “Framework for South Africa’s Response to the International Economic Crisis – 19 February 2009” was recently published. The document deals with amongst other issues: (i) Impact of the Crisis on South Africa; (ii) Broad Principles Governing our Response; (iii) Investment in Public Infrastructure; (iv) Macro Economic Policy Response; (v) Industrial and Trade Policy Measures; (vi) Employment Measures; (vii) Social Measures; (viii) Global Coordination; and (ix) Social Partnership in Response to the Crisis.
