Steel and Engineering Industries Federation of Southern Africa (Seifsa) chief economist Henk Langenhoven has been appointed to the International Trade Administration Commission of South Africa (Itac) for a three-year term.

The appointment, which was made by President Jacob Zuma last week, was effective October 1.

Itac was established to foster economic growth and development to raise income and promote investment and employment in South Africa. It sought to create an enabling environment for international fair trade through technical advice to the ministries of Economic Development and Trade and Industry.

Langenhoven would form part of a team that would evaluate investigations conducted by Itac employees and make recommendations to the Ministers responsible.

He was an active participant in various other forums such as the National Economic Development and Labour Council (Nedlac), Business Unity South Africa and the South African Reserve Bank economic roundtable discussions.

OTHER APPOINTMENTS
Meanwhile, Seifsa operations director Lucio Trentini has been appointed a member of the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration governing body, as well as a member of the Nedlac Labour Market Chamber, while Seifsa human capital and skills development executive Mustak Ally was appointed to the Manufacturing, Engineering and Related Services Sector Education and Training Authority and the national skills development boards.

“These important appointments confirm Seifsa’s position as the undisputed voice of the metals and engineering sector in the country. I am grateful to these Ministers for their recognition of the enormous expertise that resides within Seifsa, which is available to serve not only the federation’s interests, but also those of our country as a whole.

“I have no doubt that these colleagues will add enormous value in the deliberations of the bodies on whose boards they sit. Their appointments onto key statutory bodies give effect to our vision to promote sustainable metals and engineering industries and to ensure that they are strategically positioned for innovation and growth in the interests of a prospering South Africa,” Seifsa CEO Kaizer Nyatsumba said.