Pretoria - President Jacob Zuma on Friday hosted a high-level meeting with black professionals and representatives of black business groups to discuss their role in the economy.
Key among the discussions was the implementation of the government’s programme of action, in particular the National Development Plan (NDP).
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Ministers in the economic cluster - Minister of Trade and Industry Rob Davies, Minister of Small Business Development Lindiwe Zulu and Minister of Science and Technology Naledi Pandor - and chief executives of state-owned companies were also part of the meeting.
Topics on the agenda included the implementation of the National Development Plan/Medium Term Strategic Framework, the Black Industrialists Policy, as well as social cohesion and the fight against racism.
Deputy Minister in the Presidency Buti Manamela said the meeting was part of ongoing consultations and briefings between Zuma and key stakeholders as part of the process of promoting inclusive economic growth and job creation.
“The president has emphasised the need for partnerships and engagement with business. This forms part of the plans by government to turn around the economy,” Manamela said.
Manamela added that the next round of discussions would be to engage labour, youth organisations and other interested stakeholders.
Black business organisations attending Friday’s meetings with the president included: the Black Management Forum, the Association of Black Accountants South Africa, the Black Lawyers Association, the Progressive Professionals Forum, the National Society of Black Engineers, the Association of Black Securities Investment Professionals, the Association of South African Black Actuarial Professionals, the Black Information and Technologies Forum, the South African Black Technical and Allied Careers Organisation and the South African Institute of Black Property Practitioners.
Zuma has met with chief executives of big businesses in South Africa twice recently, before and after the World Economic Forum annual meetings, which were held in Davos last month.
ANA