South Africa's stable macro-economic environment is not going to change, President Jacob Zuma said on Tuesday.

Replying in the National Assembly to points raised during debate on his state of the nation address, Zuma said South Africa's achievements since 1994 had been made on the back of a stable economic environment, and this would not change.

Government had no intention to use the fiscus for general company bail-outs.

"As we indicated, we are working with development finance institutions such as the Industrial Development Corporation to identify such companies and, where appropriate, mobilise assistance," he said.

It was also important to ensure that the interventions made did not distract government from its longer-term socio-economic objectives.

"We must also keep the productive capacity of our economy intact so that it can respond in a timeous fashion to the revival in demand as the global economy recovers."

It was important that the manufacturing, agriculture and mining sectors were ready for the recovery.

"That means we must do our best to retain skills and labour."