Pretoria - The Presidential Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) Advisory Council on Friday met in the country's capital to evaluate work done by the body to advance the objectives of the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Act.
The meeting saw the tabling of progress reports from government and the council. Parties at the meeting said they were satisfied with the work done to date. The council was established to advise government on the implementation of the amended B-BBEE Act, which was signed in 2014.
Briefing media after the meeting, President Jacob Zuma said government officials have been tasked to work on a number of issues that were discussed during the meeting.
“Instead of waiting for an annual meeting that will sit next year, we will be meeting in November to look at those details so that by the time the year ends, we will be ready to hit the ground running [at the beginning of next year], in terms of the programmes we [will] agree on... We have looked at a number of issues on which the council was advising… We are very happy with today's meeting,” said the President.
The BEE Advisory Council takes forward government’s economic transformation agenda and the National Development Plan's Vision 2030. The council helps government to initiate various interventions to address the current economic challenges in order to stimulate economic growth and create jobs.
Council chair Koko Khumalo said there is sharp focus on getting each province to implement the NDP.
“... The majority (of the country) wants to be... included in the economy... [We have to make] sure that departments with strategies are implementing what they [need to implement]. We have agreed that we will look into those departments without strategies and as members of the council, we will have conversations with the leadership of those departments.
“We will, after the November meeting, come back with concrete plans, programmes and recommendations that we need to make to government,” said Khumalo.
She said more details will be available after the November meeting.
Trade and Industry Minister Rob Davies said the fundamental item in today’s meeting was the report from members the council. His department also reported on the Black Industrialist Programme.
“There are now 22 black industrialists that are being supported through the programme,” said the Minister. - SAnews.gov.za
