Thank you, hon Deputy Speaker. Cope remains concerned about the effects of this global crisis, mainly on the local manufacturing sector and employment. Will the Minister inform the House whether government has looked into alternative industrial and manufacturing policies that target the development of SMMEs and improve the economic conditions of poor South Africans?
For example, South Africa has benefited from the African Growth and Opportunity Act, Agoa, of the United States, in exporting manufactured goods at tariffs favourable to South Africa. What is government doing about similar agreements with its partners in the Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, Brics, bloc, and other African states? I thank you. [Applause.]