Speaking at a debate on the Ministry’s budget vote before the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) in Parliament, Whitfield explained how manufacturing is in fact less volatile and less vulnerable to economic downturns, and will create real, sustainable jobs with decent wages for the people.

In his presentation, the Deputy Minister revealed that one of the Ministry’s key focus areas will be a renewed push for exports to reduce the risk of slow domestic growth, while identifying high-growth opportunities.

This can be achieved, he explained, through a dedicated approach to implementing measures to boost competitiveness of local industries in global markets, streamlining export processes, reducing trade barriers, and offering financial and technical assistance to exporters.

Recently, the minister of the sector, Parks Tau, reiterated the commitment to a “smart industrial policy”, which will support the successful implementation of the government’s development imperatives.

To this end, he said, sectorial plans will be implemented based on the successes recorded in the automotive, clothing and textile, retail and agricultural processing sectors.

The smart industrial policy, he said, speaks of emphasizing the benefit and growth driven by exports.

Tau pointed out, on the other hand, that each year the South African economy spends 25 percent of the national wealth created on imported goods.

Faced with this situation, he announced, the Government will reverse this trend in the sectors of pharmaceutical products and medical devices, ecological industries, food products and manufactured goods, among others.

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