Trade and Industry: Rob Davies

Brian Brink, executive director Textile Federation. Q: What would the first and most pressing priority be for the minister? To get the economy back on a long-term growth trajectory and to arrest the sharp decline in the manufacturing industry, particularly in those sectors with the great job-creating potential. Q: What are the biggest challenges facing the minister? To arrest the sharp decline in manufacturing. Much of the ground work to determine the necessary interventions has been completed. What he needs to do now is to fast-track the process. Q: The one regulation from the ministry that impedes your ability to do business? No one regulation, but the many regulations could be rationalised and simplified. Q:I f you had the Minister’s ear for a minute, what would you say? All of the above. Nico Vermeulen, Naamsa executive director. Q: What would the first and most pressing priority be for the minister? From the perspective of the South African automotive industry, there is a need for an effective, stable auto industry policy regime that facilitates further investment in auto parts and vehicle manufacturing in South Africa. This would support future growth and development of the industry which would be able to provide more employment for high level/skilled workers. The recently announced Automotive Production and Development Programme goes some way to meeting this need. The Department should also work with the industry and its stakeholders in developing a short-term package of measures to help the industry weather the extremely difficult domestic and international trading conditions.