Madam House Chair and hon members, good evening. The NFP wishes to place on record its disappointment at the slow pace of beneficiation of the products of our previously disadvantaged people, despite the government's Industrial Policy Action Plan, which was launched with much fanfare.
We are mindful of the fact that in the 2014-15 financial year, the Department of Trade and Industry intended to focus on the iron ore, steel, polymers and titanium value chains, in regard to beneficiation. Yet, when we look at the reports on beneficiation in the plastics industry and in the field of titanium resources, it becomes evident that Ipap is not working. The reasons vary and are complex, and they will require extensive research and consultation to come up with workable solutions.
As the NFP, we are of the view that the people of South Africa in general, and the historically disadvantaged in particular, should share in the wealth of the country, as well as in its mineral resources. We will continue to campaign for our mineral wealth to be retained in South Africa rather than be exported as raw materials and then imported as refined manufacturing products at astronomical prices. We will campaign for our people to be mandatory shareholders in the wealth that is generated in our country by calling for our people to be preferential shareholders in new business ventures where multinationals have an interest in our resources.
We firmly believe that government, with all the resources available to it, is in a good position to address the slow pace of beneficiation for our previously disadvantaged people. Yet, is seems that the political will to do so is lacking. As the NFP, we advise the hon Minister of Trade and Industry to rise to the challenge and find ways to accelerate the benefits of our mineral wealth and resources for our people; to consult closely with the role-players; and to listen to their concerns and proposals.
In conclusion, we urge the hon Minister to co-ordinate with other government departments, such as Science and Technology, Mineral Resources and others, in order to pioneer a multidepartmental approach to finding solutions to overcoming the obstacles in the way of beneficiation and to developing sustainable ways to add value to our mineral resources. I thank you. [Time expired.]