Chairperson, again I would like to thank hon Sinclair for the question.
The reply is as follows: The DTI is implementing a detailed foreign economic office strategy that will allow this important instrument in the export and investment promotion value chain to perform optimally.
An important aspect of this strategy is the synchronisation of the business plans of the foreign economic offices with that of the DTI, including the targets and outcomes that the DTI has committed to in the Medium-Term Strategic Framework, MTSF.
These business plans are project-based and, in the case of investment and investment pipelines, R40 billion is set as a consolidated target for this financial year.
In view of the global economic downswing, export projects had to be substantially amended and a concerted effort is under way also to set quantitative targets for the foreign economic offices in this regard. These targets are in line with what Trade and Investment South Africa, Tisa, has committed itself to in its business plan and the MTSF. Thank you.
Chairperson, I would like to ask the Deputy Minister about the DTI representatives in the foreign missions. I would like to know how these representatives are trained in respect of the formulas to be followed when dealing with a request from a specific country to partner or trade with South Africa. Thank you.
Chairperson, the answer to this question will be very substantive. I request that the hon member give me time to give the answer in written form, which I could send to him. Thank you.
Disbursement in terms of Framework for South Africa's Response to the International Economic Crisis document
75. Mr K A Sinclair (Cope) asked the Minister of Trade and Industry:
(a) What are the budget amounts for the 2009-10 financial year for his department to disburse in terms of the document titled Framework for South Africa's Response to the International Economic Crisis, (b) to which (i) departments and (ii) state-owned enterprises will these amounts be disbursed and (c) how much has been spent up to 30 September 2009? CO245E
Deputy Chairperson, the answer to Question 75 is: The department did not specifically budget for disbursement in terms of the document entitled Framework for South Africa's Response to the International Economic Crisis.
However, with regard to the rules of the Small and Medium Enterprise Development Programme, SMEDP, incentive schemes were subsequently reviewed to accommodate firms that are in distress and cannot satisfy the original criteria on which their applications were approved. Notwithstanding the above, the Industrial Development Corporation, IDC, which is self-funding, is being utilised as the main source of funding in the response to the economic crisis.
For this purpose, the Industrial Development Corporation, IDC, has set aside R6,1 billion over the period of the 2009-10 and 2010-11 financial years. The Department of Trade and Industry, DTI, does not disburse any funds to departments and state-owned enterprises.
With respect to the SMEDP schemes, the department has disbursed over a billion rand in the 2008-09 financial year. And for the period 1 April to 30 October 2009, a total of R758 million has been disbursed. These disbursements are inclusive of disbursements to firms in distress.
For the period 1 April to 30 September 2009, the IDC has approved R988 million for companies in distress as a result of the economic crisis. I thank you, Chairperson.
Hon Gunda, could you allow all other members to be attentive and stop having your own conference over there. Thank you.
Deputy Chairperson, thank you to the Deputy Minister for her answer to the question.
I want to raise the following question: Given the enormity of the economic crisis and the impact that it has had on South Africa, wouldn't the Minister believe that it was an oversight from the department's side not to directly budget for this to assist in helping to address the crisis?
Deputy Chairperson, thank you for the follow-up question. I would like to say to the hon member, yes, there is this enormous crisis that has befallen South Africa. I'd also like to say to the hon member that owing to the resources that we have at hand, we couldn't budget for everything, but we are surely trying our best to make sure that businesses that are in distress do not close shop. Thank you very much.
Deputy Chairperson, the framework document refers to the development of incentives for investments in the programme to create large numbers of green jobs. Now I gather from the Deputy Minister's response that she won't be able to give figures in terms of budget disbursements. If she can't do that, can she update us on the status of the incentives to create these green jobs?
Deputy Chairperson, for me to give you an extensive answer on the incentives that we have, I will need to do that in writing and give you all the incentives in relation to the co-operatives, small businesses and so on. That will require me to sit down and give all the incentives in writing so that I give the correct figures that you need. Thank you very much.
Provisions made with regard to promotion and adoption of energy- efficient and renewable energy technology in revised guidelines for the Enterprise Investment Programme, Manufacturing Investment Programme and Tourism Support Programme
76. Mr K A Sinclair (Cope) asked the Minister of Trade and Industry:
What provisions have been made in the revised guidelines pertaining to the (a) Enterprise Investment Programme, EIP, and (b)(i) Manufacturing Investment Programme, MIP and (ii) Tourism Support Programme, TSP, with regard to the promotion and adoption of (aa) energy-efficient and (bb) renewable energy technology?