Gas could be used to generate electricity and as a primary fuel for heating in industry, says Gerald Wolman, outgoing president of the Cape Town Regional Chamber of Commerce.
Speaking at the chamber's annual meeting on Thursday, he said the government needed to set up a special task force to accelerate the development of a gas industry.
The use of off-shore gas or coal-bed methane in industry and power generation would save foreign exchange at a time when the trade deficit had soared to more than R7-billion.
This would "immediately" reduce the electricity demand.
A high-level authority against crime, able to co-ordinate evidence for prosecutions, should be based in the office of the Presidency. It should have the clout to improve the collection and evaluation of evidence.
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"The chamber believes it is important for business to play a more active role in combating crime. In association with organisations like Business against Crime, we intend to become more involved and to give our assistance to the police and prosecutors," Wolman said.
He said a greater co-ordination of the forensic disciplines would improve the prosecution of criminals. Prosecution was often hampered by delays in the processing of medical, forensic and other evidence.
The in-coming president of the chamber, Jeremy Wiley, urged all political parties to "show tolerance" and "respect for the law" in the run-up to next year's elections.
"Business supports robust and rational political debate, but calls upon all parties and their supporters to show tolerance, restraint and respect for the principles of freedom of speech and association enshrined in our Constitution."
Wiley urged the government to deal with unruly behaviour in a province that would be a "hotly contested" at the polls.
"Political instability in the province over the past 12 years has severely retarded service delivery at local government level, discouraged direct investment and hamstrung growth."
anel.powell@inl.co.za
- This article was originally published on page 3 of Cape Times on November 14, 2008
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