Manufacturing sector under the microscope at Indaba

Giving the keynote address at the opening of the conference, Gungubele said: “With the manufacturing sector having taken a dive in the past 20 years and therefore contributing less to the country’s economy.

“As the City Of Ekurhuleni we have resolved to adopt revitalisation of the manufacturing as a flagship project because we firmly believe that with little injection the sector can reclaim its position as a key player in our economy.”

He said that the City is currently in the process of finalising the 25 year Aerotropolis Masterplan which, once released, will make investment in Ekurhuleni irresistible to financiers.

Bruce Strong, chairperson of the Manufacturing Circle, highlighted the importance of the manufacturing sector as one that offers the greatest potential to create jobs at respectable pay levels in the country.

He emphasised three goals to grow manufacturing, “South Africa’s greatest opportunity for job-rich growth.”

The first goal is to achieve a competitive manufacturing environment; secondly to attain a supportive international trade position by developing trade and transport linkages within the African region and other export markets.

The third goal is to advance the reputation of South African manufactured products by promoting preferential procurement for locally manufactured and beneficiated products that are competitively priced.

Uys Jonker shared the journey that his entreprise, Jonker Sailplane, has travelled in becoming one of the top producers of glider planes in the world.

According to Jonker, there are only four manufacturers of these products worldwide, three are based in Germany, and the fourth is his company.

Minister Rob Davies shared key points of the Industrial Policy Action Plan 2015 which is dubbed a new sustainable growth path for South Africa.

“Our future lies in re-industrialising our country and moving up the value chain of the world economy from just being a producer and exporter of primary products. This is the route through which we are going to achieve sustainable inclusive economic growth,” said the Minister.

The Manufacturing Indaba Conference and Exhibition is taking place at Emperor’s Palace today and tomorrow, and is presented by the City of Ekurhuleni in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry, Manufacturing Circle, Deloitte, National Cleaner Production Centre, the Department of Public Enterprises and the Department of Trade and industry.

Today’s programme includes panel discussions on the following topics:
* The best of South African manufacturing; * Advanced manufacturing partnerships for innovations and value addition; * Industrial financing, incentives and private sector investments; * Localisation for supply chain development and local production; * Africa- the opportunity for manufacturers and the value that regional integration brings for manufacturers.

Deputy Minister at the DTI, Mzwandile Masina will open tomorrow’s session with a presentation on promoting economic transformation through the manufacturing sector and black industrialists.