The draft construction and forestry sector charters have been gazetted for public comment, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) announced on Friday.

Trade and Industry Minister Mandisi Mpahlwa would allow the public and interested parties to make comments and inputs on the draft charters until February 5.

The DTI said that the gazetting of these charters followed a lengthy process of engagement and deliberation by representatives of a number of organisations and stakeholders doing business in the construction and forestry sectors.

The Department of Public Works and the Construction Transformation Charter Group (CTCG) had participated in providing guidance in the process leading to the finalisation of the construction charter.

Similarly, the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry and the Forestry Sector Steering Committee (FSSC) had participated in negotiations on the forestry sector charter.

The DTI would, following the 60-day public comment period, involve the CTCG and the FSSC in analysing all the comments and inputs received from the members of the public.

This would culminate in the final submission for consideration by Mpahlwa.

In the absence of any fundamental deviations and concerns, the draft charters would be gazetted as final sector codes in March.

A number of other sector charters, including the tourism sector, the media and communications sector, the transport sector, the financial sector and the information and communication technology sector charters were all expected to be finalised by March.