1. The draft legislation had been prepared by the department for consideration. There were two processes that needed to be taken account of however, prior to Cabinet consideration of its contents. The first relates to the World ~Trade Organisation (WTO) discussions on flexibilities to international rules on intellectual property. The second was the discussions held under the auspices of the African Continental Free Trade ...

The impact of the Protocol on Intellectual Property Rights and the agreement at the World Trade Organisation on waivers and flexibilities relating to pandemic use of patented vaccines are being considered. Should no changes be necessary, the Bill will be finalised for public consultation. Should changes be necessary, these will be effected prior to the release of the Bill.

-END-

the dtic has been mandated by the Presidency to support supply of energy through the Energy One-Stop-Shop (EOSS), that will be housed at the dtic Campus. It is envisaged that the EOSS Phase 1 will be operational by end May 2023 and will thereafter expand its capacity.

The EOSS core team is currently creating a single window process for Energy Project Developers to access ...

South Africa is the second largest exporter of citrus fruits globally. Our exports of citrus fruits represent 11.2% of world exports for this product.

The measures introduced by the European Union, both in respect of citrus black spot and false coddling moth are inappropriate, unjustified and not consistent with the EU’s international obligations.

South Africa requested consultations with the EU on 22 July 2022 in World ...

The information in Table 1 sets out salaries for development finance institutions, where significant sums of monies are managed by the entity concerned; and skills akin to those found in commercial financial institutions are generally required.

1. The Ministry undertakes international travel to carry out the core mandate on Trade, Industry and Competition. Travel is either at the request of the President, particularly for State Visits, or through our membership of global structures where South Africa’s interests have to be defended or advanced (for example in the World Trade Organisation), or meetings with investors.

In the period under question, the ...

During the dtic Budget Vote in May 2022, I advised that the dtic completed comprehensive work on a draft Patents Bill (PB) to be submitted to Parliament after consideration by Cabinet. The aim of the draft Bill is to update and reform SA’s patent legislation by synchronizing the legislation with international developments.

The draft Bill was indeed subsequently completed.

Following the Budget Vote debate ...

The total number of staff employed and/or provided as departmental support in the private offices is provided below. The employment is in accordance with the Ministerial handbook and excludes advisors.

Office of the Minister

During the Uruguay Round of multilateral trade talks that commenced in 1986, the National Party government of the time bound South Africa to substantial trade liberalization commitments that were incorporated in the terms of South Africa’s accession to the World Trade Organisation in 1994. Details of the background hereto was provided in a presentation made by the Ministry to the Portfolio Committee on Trade ...

The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic) is focused on supporting domestic businesses and foreign and domestic investors.

This support includes the conceptualisation and implementation of sectoral Masterplans by Government, Business and organised Labour. the dtic’s interventions include the provision of globally competitive financial and non-financial incentives; support for localisation through targeted private and public procurement interventions; careful use ...