Responding to the recession . Much of the EDD's work during the period under review was addressing South Africa's response to the global economic crisis. In July 2009, the Minister of Economic Development was requested to convene and chair the Leadership Team of business, labour, community and government representatives that was created in the Framework. o One of the instruments to deal with the challenges of the recession was the National Jobs Fund, which is utilized to finance a Training Layoff scheme to support companies experiencing weakening demand for their products, by providing an alternative to retrenchments. A sum of R2, 4b was drawn from the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) and the National Skills Fund to pay allowances to workers on special training schemes. A further R500 million was committed by a consortium of SETAs to pay for the costs of funding the training offered under the scheme. o The second instrument was a Fund for companies in distress as result of the crisis. The money was made available through the Industrial Development Corporation. o The third instrument was a development bond placed by the IDC with the UIF, of R2b. o A range of measures to combat customs fraud were also introduced. o The Competition Commission launched investigations into collusive practices on food prices.