Minister Davies launches MCEP

The Minister of Trade and Industry, Dr Rob Davies (MP), has launched the Manufacturing Competitiveness Enhancement Programme (MCEP), which is one of the key action programmes of the Industrial Policy Action Plan (IPAP) 2012/13 - 2014/15. The MCEP will provide enhanced manufacturing support aimed at encouraging manufacturers to upgrade their production facilities in a manner that sustains employment and maximises value-addition in the short to medium term. The MCEP comprises two sub-programmes: the Production Incentive (PI) and the Industrial Financing Loan Facilities, which will be managed by the dti and the Industrial Development Corporation respectively. Read more

NB: Applications for the MCEP will only be accepted as of 4 June 2012 through the online application system. The application forms provided are merely for information purposes.

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Join the South Africa - China Expos 2012

The Department of Trade and Industry (the dti) will be hosting exhibitions in the cities of Beijing and Shanghai from 4 - 9 October 2012. This is an opportunity for South African companies to explore the Chinese market and gain inroads into Asia. Read more

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Call for public comment on amendments to the Liquor Act 59 of 2003 regulations

The Department of Trade and Industry (the dti), through the Consumer and Corporate Regulatory Division (CCRD), invites members of the public, the liquor industry and any interested parties to make written submissions on the published draft amendments to the Liquor Act 59 of 2003 regulations. The closing date for written submissions is 01 June 2012.

The National Liquor Authority (NLA) administers the Liquor Act 59 of 2003. NLA registers and imposes conditions of registration for the macro-manufacturing and distribution of liquor.

It is through the day-to-day administration of the Act that the NLA experiences challenges that warrant the amendment of the regulations to the Act. Draft amendments to the regulations have been proposed to ensure that the industry continues to be regulated in the most effective and efficient manner, taking into consideration the objectives of the Act.

Comments from the public are to be forwarded to the dti as per the details on the Gazette.

• Draft Amendments to the National Liquor Regulations, 2004

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Cooperatives Incentive Scheme (CIS) Application System

The CIS application system is now functional and all CIS applications will, with immediate effect, be submitted either electronically through completing the online application form or through submitting a physical completed application to the dti registry office.

The CIS online application form can be accessed by the public directly from the dti website. This therefore, means that clients are in a position to complete and submit applications online and can alternatively physically submit a printed application to the dti registry office.

• CIS Online Application Form

For further enquiries on the CIS online application procedure, please contact the following people:

• July Motsoeneng : 012 394 3239 / jmotsoeneng@thedti.gov.za
• Khanyisile Mathenjwa: 012 394 1162 / kmathenjwa@thedti.gov.za
• Mpho Mokaila : 012 394 1444 / mmokaila@thedti.gov.za

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Black Business Supplier Development Programme (BBSDP) online application system

The Black Business Supplier Development Programme (BBSDP) online application system is now functional and all BBSDP applications will, with immediate effect, be submitted only electronically. Read more

• BBSDP National Network Facilitator List

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The African Dialogue Trade and Investment 2012

Minister of Trade and Industry, Dr Rob Davies, MP, in an interview at the Africa Dialogue Trade and Investment Conference 2012, discusses some of the challenges the African continent faces in promoting regional trade. View YouTube video

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Industrial Policy Action Plan (IPAP) 2012/13 - 2014/15

Minister of Trade and Industry, Dr Rob Davies, MP, on Monday 2 April launched the 2012 Industrial Policy Action Plan: IPAP 2012/13 - 14/15 in Sandton, Johannesburg. The IPAP 2012/13 - 14/15 represents the fourth annual iteration of the action plan. Minister Davies said the department believes the 2012/13 IPAP is a confidence-building one. "We have demonstrated what is possible in a range of sectors through constructive and ambitious partnerships. We have built a number of critical enabling platforms. Through similar partnerships we can arrest the threat of deindustrialisation and grow value addition and jobs in our manufacturing sector." Download IPAP

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Workshop addresses impediments to accelerated growth in the food processing sector

On 23 March 2012 the dti hosted the food processing industry at a workshop in Bryanston, Johannesburg, to discuss and seek solutions to impediments to accelerated growth in the sector. In his address, the Minister of Trade and Industry, Dr Rob Davies, said that over the past three years the dti has funded the sector to the value of R736 million in incentives. He also told the gathering that South Africa is paying particular attention to the issue of food standards for purposes of compliance in export markets as well as using standards to curb the influx of inferior imports. Read more

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Minister Davies Gazettes the Draft AgriBEE Sector Code

The Minister of Trade and Industry, Dr Rob Davies, MP, gazettes the Draft AgriBEE Sector Code for public comments and inputs in terms of section 9 (5) of the B-BBEE Act (Act 53 of 2003). The Draft AgriBEE Sector Code is a product of a negotiation process amongst stakeholders in the agricultural sector and alignment with the Codes of Good Practice, a process which was driven by the AgriBEE Charter Council.

• Government Gazette No. 35167
• Media Release - Minister Rob Davies gazettes the Draft AgriBEE Sector Code

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Guidelines for Exporters Wishing to Access the Economic Assistance Package to Cuba

South Africa is offering Cuba an economic assistance package to the value of R350 million (a combination of grants and credit lines). R210 million is for credit lines, R100 million for a solidarity grant; and R40 million for the purchase of seeds by Cuba (R5 million of which will be used to purchase seeds in the South African market, and the remaining R35 million to purchase seeds from any country, including RSA).

• Guidelines

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Minister Davies Gazettes Phase II of the Draft Financial Services Sector Code

The Minister of Trade and Industry, Dr Rob Davies, MP, gazettes the Phase II Draft Financial Services Sector Code in terms of Section 9 (5) of the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) Act 53 of 2003. Members of the public have 60 days from the date of publication to make inputs and comments before the Draft FSC is gazetted as a legally binding Sector Code.

• Government Gazette No. 35092 (Part 1)
• Government Gazette No. 35092 (Part 2)
• Media Release - Gazette of Phase II of the Draft Financial Services Sector Code

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Section 12I Tax Allowance Supported Projects

Since the Section 12I Tax Allowance was announced in 2010 to date, the programme has supported 13 projects with an investment value of R21.7 billion. These projects are within the priority sectors identified in the Industrial Policy Action Plan (IPAP).

Eight of the projects are in the chemical sector; one within the agro processing sector, two are in the paper and pulp sector, and two in the bio-fuel sector with a total investment of R21.7 billion. These projects will create 1 618 direct jobs and 25 448 indirect jobs are estimated to create R3, 7 billion worth of opportunities for small medium and micro enterprise procurement.

• Section 12I Tax Allowance Supported Projects

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Big Break Legacy the dti is a proud partner of The Big Break Legacy Reality TV show. Read more

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Get a Free Professional Website in Minutes These days, having a website is as important as having a phone. Thousands of potential customers are online searching for products or services like those you provide. For more information visit: www.wozaonline.co.za

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The International Small Business Congress 2012

The International Small Business Congress (ISBC) gathers individuals from governments (policymakers), small business support agencies, entrepreneurs, business membership organisations, academia, financial institutions, international development agencies and various others with an interest in entrepreneurship and small business development around the world to discuss issues pertinent to the promotion of entrepreneurship and small business worldwide.

For more information visit: www.isbc2012.org

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The Enterprise Investment Programme

The Enterprise Investment Programme Adjudication Committee, at the November 2011 meeting, approved the following relaxation with regard to turnover:

• Relaxation of turnover requirements
• Please take note of the Revised Enterprise Investment Program Factual Findings Report. The report is effective from 01 April 2012. Any stage 1, 2, 4, and/or 6 claims being submitted from 01 April 2012 onwards, must be accompanied by the Revised EIP Claim Factual Findings Report

There is no distinction on whether the project is below or above R5 million of investment.

Please note that the relaxation is only applicable until 31 December 2012.

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Trade and Industry Minister Gazetted The B-BBEE Amendment Bill

Members of the Public have 60 days to comment on the B-BBEE Amendment Bill that has been gazetted by the Minister of Trade and Industry, Dr Rob Davies. The gazetting of the Amendment Bill is the culmination of the recommendations done by the Presidential B-BBEE Advisory Council. Read more

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Increase your Exports!

the dti will be participating in various exhibitions and trade shows to promote locally manufactured products in international markets. Read more

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Copyright Review Commission

The Copyright Review Commission is now accessible on facebook and twitter. To post questions or comments join us on Facebook and search for "Copyright Review Commission" and "CopyrightCR" on twitter. Interested parties can still contact us on our toll free number: 08000 7702.

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The Gambling Review Commission

Since the legalization of gambling in South Africa in 1996, the gambling industry has grown and evolved substantially. Technological advancements on existing forms of gambling and new forms of gambling have emerged and have created challenges for regulators and policy makers. Furthermore, some forms of illegal gambling have persisted and appear to be growing in popularity.

• Gambling Review Report
• International Study of Gambling Jurisdiction

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Minister Davies Gazettes the Draft Chartered Accountancy Charter as a Sector Code

The Minister of Trade and Industry, Dr. Rob Davies has gazetted the Draft Chartered Accountancy (CA) Charter as a Sector Code in terms of section 9 (1) of the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Act (B-BBEE Act 53 of 2003). The gazetting of the CA Charter as a Sector Code became legally binding to entities in the CA sector from 10 May 2011.

One of the key highlights of the sector code is the black ownership target of 32.5% to be achieved by the sector by 2016. In addition, the main focus of the sector shall be on skills development to increase the number of black people, particularly black women entering the profession, to reflect the country's demographic population. Read more

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the dti Releases Companies Regulations, 2011

The Minister of Trade and Industry, Dr Rob Davies, signed and approved the Companies Regulations, 2011. The Regulations, deal with the functions of the Companies Commission, Takeover Regulation Panel and Companies Tribunal, and other matters relating to the regulation of companies, which will come into effect on 1 May 2011. President Zuma signed into law the Companies Amendment Act, 2011 and approved the Proclamation and President's Minute that put into legal force the Companies Act 2008 on 1 May 2011.

• Minister's Notice and Companies Regulations 2011
• President's Minute and Proclamation

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the dti Gazettes Determination of Threshold, in Terms of Consumer Protection Act

In terms of Section 6(1) of the Consumer Protection Act, No. 68 of 2008, the Minister of Trade and Industry, by notice in the Government Gazette of 1 April 2011, No. 34181, determined the monetary threshold applicable to the size of the juristic person, for the purpose of Section 5(2)(b), at R2000 000. Read more.