‘Agriculture can create most jobs’

Economic Development Minister Ebrahim Patel. Photo: Mxolisi Madela.

Economic Development Minister Ebrahim Patel. Photo: Mxolisi Madela.

Published Dec 18, 2012

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Bloemfontein - The agriculture sector can create the most jobs for South Africa, Economic Development Minister Ebrahim Patel said on Tuesday.

“If you are looking for jobs numbers, agriculture is the sector. That is why one of the best jobs drivers in the National Growth Path is agriculture,” he said.

Patel was speaking during a breakfast hosted by the ANC’s Progressive Business Forum in Mangaung.

He said the automobile industry was another sector which was creating jobs and attracting foreign direct investment.

Patel said car manufacturer Ford had identified South Africa as its base for the manufacturing of its Ford Ranger vehicles.

BMW would produce its 3 Series range in South Africa while Mercedes-Benz had also marked South Africa as one of the manufacturing bases for its C-Class range.

However, Patel conceded there was a gap between government policy and implementation.

This was a “central challenge” in government’s effort of achieving job creating growth.

The breakfast was hosted on the sidelines of the ANC's elective conference in Mangaung in Free State. - Sapa

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