Minister’s announcement expected

Published May 4, 2015

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AN announcement is expected to be made by the government this month about the outcome of the Automotive Production and Development Programme (APDP).

Roger Pitot, the advisor on the APDP review to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), expressed confidence in October that trade and industry minister Rob Davies would be in a position to make an announcement about the review by the end of the year.

To date, there has not been any announcement about the review.

Pitot said last week that the review took a lot longer than expected because of consultations, not only with the automotive industry, but with other government departments.

He said the review had been completed and handed to the DTI for it to go through the approval process, including the cabinet.

Pitot said he expected an announcement to be made this month.

Nico Vermeulen, the director of the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa, said Davies would have a meeting with industry stakeholders to present the outcome of the APDP review and explain the views of the government.

“I think at the same time the minister will give more clarity and information about the medium- and long-term thinking of government in terms development policy and further support for the (automotive) industry post 2020,” he said.

The APDP is scheduled to expire in 2020. – Roy Cokayne

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