Representatives of big business in South Africa expressed broad satisfaction with the state’s macroeconomic policies on Saturday, following a two-day meeting with government.
According to a joint statement, the meeting — hosted by President Thabo Mbeki at Fancourt, near George — was aimed at exploring ways to accelerate economic growth and development.
It also sought to ensure open and constructive communication between government and large corporations.
”The representatives of the big business working group indicated that the group was broadly satisfied with government’s macroeconomic policies, such as fiscal and monetary policy, and trade and industrial policy.
”While there are issues that will continue to be discussed and negotiated in detail in actual implementation, there is broad agreement on the direction of macro-economic policy and micro-economic programmes,” the statement said.
The working group meets with government twice a year, although this was the first interaction of this size between Mbeki and his ministers and big business.
It said government and business had agreed that the relationship between them had improved significantly, and the meeting was held in a very positive spirit.
”Both parties agreed that there was scope for deeper consultations on long-term strategies that could contribute effectively to raising the rate of growth, development and employment creation.”
They agreed there was a need for such an ”intensive” indaba at least once a year.
The parties would soon consider the future role of the Business Trust, which was seen as a possible vehicle for planning and implementing new types of projects and programmes, the statement said.
The government delegation also included Finance Minister Trevor Manuel, Agriculture and Land Affairs Minister Thoko Didiza, Minerals and Energy Minister Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka and Trade and Industry Minister Alec Erwin.
The business group consisted of, amongst others: Anglo American CEO Tony Trahar, Sappi Chairman Eugene van As, Nedcor Chairman Chris Liebenberg, NAIL CEO Saki Macozoma, Siemens CE Klaus Doring, Old Mutual Group CE Jim Sutcliffe and Stanbic chairman Derek Cooper. – Sapa