Companies in South Africa
were advised to “look north”
by president Jacob Zuma
in his June 17 State of the
Nation Address.
“Sub-Saharan Africa is
increasingly
becoming
a more
important
trade partner
for our
country.
“We are
encouraged
that South
African
investments in
the continent
increased from
R5.5 billion
rand in 2002
to R32.3
billion in 2013.
“South Africa will
continue to champion
broader regional integration
through the Southern
African Customs Union,
SADC and the envisaged
Tripartite Free Trade Area
that spans Eastern and
Southern Africa,” he said.
The president announced
measures to be taken
to make South African
manufacturers more
competitive.
They
include a
“South Africa
Connect”
broadband
strategy
adopted by
the cabinet
in December
2013, as
well as the
investment
of R847 in
infrastructure.
“We will
continue with
infrastructure projects
that will change the living
conditions of our people and
boost economic growth,” he
said.
A local market will
be created through
the promotion of local
procurement.
The target is for the state
to buy 75% of goods and
services from South African
producers.
“We will utilise the
renewable energy sector,
the manufacturing of buses,
Transnet’s R50-billion
locomotive contracts and
Prasa’s passenger rail
projects among others to
promote local content and
boost growth,” he said.
There was little
information about how
government was to facilitate
the movement of goods into
Africa.
Unlike the February State
of the Nation address he did
not refer to harbours, ports
or roads once.
In February he said “the
country’s harbours and
ports have been improved,”
and “close to 1500
kilometres of new roads or
lanes have been built”.
INSERT & CAPTION
We are encouraged
that South African
investments in the
continent increased
from R5.5 billion in
2002 to R32.3 billion
in 2013.
– Jacob Zuma
