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Initiative to accelerate technology strategies amid aerospace industry decline

By: Mamaili Mamaila 18th September 2020 The Aerospace Industry Support Initiative (AISI) plans to continue building technology strategies with industry for long-term implementation amid the industry’s decline of late. →

Economy breathes welcome sigh for Level 1, while alcohol, travel industries remain aggrieved

By: Marleny Arnoldi 17th September 2020 With President Cyril Ramaphosa having announced the move to a Level 1 lockdown for South Africa, effective September 20, positive reactions have been streaming in from all spheres of the economy, but grievances around weekend alcohol sales, the curfew and only partially reopened borders remain.... →

CDC aiming to secure CEO replacement for long-serving Silinga by year-end

By: Terence Creamer 16th September 2020 The Coega Development Corporation (CDC) has formally initiated a recruitment process to secure a replacement for its long-serving CEO, Pepi Silinga, who has been appointed CEO of Transnet National Ports Authority, effective October 1. The position has been advertised internally and externally and... →

Pepi Silinga

Industry’s wings seemingly clipped

By: Mamaili Mamaila 11th September 2020 South Africa’s economy is hanging by a thread and this has presented massive challenges for the local aerospace industry, says aircraft design organisation Aerodesigns Africa director Murray Spoelstra. →

GLOBAL SIGHTS SET Similar to the local automotive industry that is manufacturing for European countries, so must there be opportunities to manufacture aircraft under licence for foreign companies

Level playing field key to moving industry forward

By: Mamaili Mamaila 11th September 2020 Transformation should be a top priority among the issues that need to be addressed in manufacturing for the aviation industry, says maintenance solutions provider Dynamic Aerotech technical operation and research director Mulalo Neluheni. →

OPEN UP THE INDUSTRY While there is scope for black people with potential to thrive in this space, this needs to take into account the whole value chain in the aerospace industry

Association laments sector decline

By: Mamaili Mamaila 11th September 2020 The aerospace manufacturing sector is in a “freefall” and there does not appear to be any parachute in sight, says industry body Commercial Aerospace Manufacturing Association of South Africa (Camasa) co-chairperson Themba September. →

AIRING IT OUT In its efforts to ensure that the sector returns to its former glory, Camasa has participated in the process of drafting a sector masterplan

Significant potential exists for local capital equipment exporters

By: Donna Slater 10th September 2020 South African Capital Equipment Exporters Council (Saceec) director and CEO Eric Bruggeman has pointed out that South African capital equipment exporters had exported R178-billion worth of capital equipment during 2019. Saceec members accounted for about R50-billion, or just under 30%, of that... →

Global trading platform key to unlocking competitiveness of green hydrogen

By: Terence Creamer 9th September 2020 International cooperation will be key to unlocking the competitive production of green hydrogen as global trade will be required to link those countries, such as South Africa, that are best suited to producing the energy carrier, using a combination of low-cost renewable energy, water and... →

RMB/BER business confidence index rebounds in line with eased Covid-19 restrictions

By: Donna Slater 9th September 2020 After falling from 18 to an all-time low of five in the second quarter, the Rand Merchant Bank (RMB)/Bureau for Economic Research (BER) business confidence index (BCI) rebounded to 24 in the third quarter. However, the BER states that, from such a low base, when the strictest of the Alert Level... →

FMF appoints chairperson and deputy

By: Donna Slater 9th September 2020 The Free Market Foundation (FMF) has elected Lawrence Mavundla chairperson during its first meeting of the new board following its election at the FMF annual general meeting on July 29. He is supported by deputy chairperson Johanna McDowall. →

Free Market Foundation chairperson Lawrence Mavundla

140 UK, KwaZulu-Natal companies to participate in online trade mission

By: Yvonne Silaule 8th September 2020 About 140 companies from the UK and KwaZulu-Natal will be participating in a virtual online trade mission, which will be led by Tourism and Environmental Affairs MEC Nomusa Dube-Ncube. “Following the onset of Covid-19 and the limitations on international travel, the department has embarked on an... →

Lesotho aims to ‘go big’ on agriculture amid Agoa textiles uncertainty

By: Terence Creamer 4th September 2020 Lesotho Prime Minister Dr Moeketsi Majoro reports that the country aims to overhaul its underperforming agricultural sector with the objective of improving both food security and attracting export-oriented investment into the production of high-value crops, such as fruit, vegetables and... →

Lesotho Prime Minister Dr Moeketsi Majoro

Economic recovery to gain traction in summer − Cline

By: Donna Slater 4th September 2020 Major sectors of South Africa’s economy will begin to recover from a Covid-19-induced slump as the country heads into spring and summer – a trend that was evidenced through Europe’s experience with Covid-19, says financial services company Investec corporate accounts head Dr Greg Cline. “[As] in... →

Investec corporate accounts head Dr Greg Cline

Partnership backs African market

4th September 2020 Partnerships such as Austin ETT are structured to offer customers products and services across a broader spectrum. The joint venture between Australia-based engineering company Austin Engineering and South African specialised mobile equipment manufacturer Engineering Top Tech (ETT) brings... →

STRONGER TOGETHER The Austin ETT joint venture provides a single platform from which the Austin Engineering and Engineering Top Tech can jointly market, sell and support their products throughout Africa

Long-term demand structure for petroleum unclear

By: Darren Parker 4th September 2020 It is expected that the Covid-19 pandemic will continue to negatively affect liquid fuels demand in the short term, but whether this represents a long-term structural shift is not yet clear, says South African Petroleum Industry Association (Sapia) executive director Avhapfani Tshifularo. Before... →

Photo by Adobe
NO NEED TO IMPORT Reduced demand will see South Africa becoming somewhat self-sufficient in terms of fuels production if all refineries are operational

Localisation key to economic recovery

By: Tracy Hancock 4th September 2020 Localisation should be the main driver of South Africa’s economic recovery following the Covid-19 outbreak, says diversified engineering company Pamodzi Unique Engineering CEO Sindi Dlamini. The Boksburg-based broad-based black economic-empowerment Level 1 company designs, manufactures and... →

INTERNATIONALLY ACTIVE Pamodzi Unique Engineering has supplied off-road pantographs to the US, Panama, Belgium, Zambia, Namibia and recently Russia

Council adapting to Covid-19 chokehold

By: Tracy Hancock 4th September 2020 The South African Capital Equipment Export Council (SACEEC) is adopting new technological solutions to meet its goals of growing its membership and exports this year despite the Covid-19 outbreak, says SACEEC chairperson Benny Jiyane. Amid the pandemic, six new members have joined SACEEC, which... →

CAPITAL IDEA The South African Capital Equipment Export Council has launched a virtual product showroom in collaboration with Creamer Media on September 4 to promote member company products

Absa PMI rises to 57.3 index points as Covid-19 restrictions ease

By: Donna Slater 1st September 2020 Pointing to a further improvement in conditions in South Africa’s manufacturing sector, the Absa Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) increased to 57.3 index points in August, up from 51.2 in July, in line with Covid-19 lockdown restrictions easing further to Level 2 in August. This resulted in... →

New ‘single channel’ service created to help resolve barriers to South African exports

By: Terence Creamer 31st August 2020 The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC) has launched a new ‘single channel’ online service through which South African exporters are able to register any problems they are experiencing in their trade interactions and secure dedicated support from government to resolve concerns.... →

DTIC to launch Export Barriers Monitoring Mechanism

By: Simone Liedtke 28th August 2020 The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC) will launch the Export Barriers Monitoring Mechanism (EBMM) on August 31. The EBMM will be a single channel for companies to report and receive assistance in resolving export barriers, the department said in a statement on August 28. →

Noncarbon future epitomises ideal energy mix

By: Mamaili Mamaila 21st August 2020 In about 2060, the ideal energy mix would be one with only non-carbon sources, such as wind, solar, pumped hydro and hydrogen, says global energy advisory UL. →

JAMES TRUDEAU It is “very critical” that Eskom increases its energy storage capacities to support a more diversified energy portfolio

Divisionalisation first step in vertical separation

By: Mamaili Mamaila 21st August 2020 State-owned power utility Eskom says divisionalisation is but the “first step” in the vertical separation of the utility into three businesses under Eskom Holdings and that it is aligned with the restructuring roadmap released by the Department of Public Enterprises. →

Photo by Creamer Media's Donna Slater
SLIGHT UNCERTAINTY The outcomes from the Independent Electricity Management Operator Bill will impact the future of both the supply and demand dynamics of the electricity industry

Clean coal can still play meaningful role in S Africa

By: Mamaili Mamaila 21st August 2020 Coal is relatively cheap and widely available; therefore, if it is used cleanly and efficiently, it can be a vital part of the economic development of South Africa, says the IEA Clean Coal Centre (IEACCC). →

Photo by Creamer Media
GROWTH POINT About 18 000 jobs were created during the peak of construction at Eskom’s Medupi power plant

CFBC boiler technology viable for S Africa

By: Mamaili Mamaila 21st August 2020 The global success of circulating fluidised bed combustion (CFBC) boiler technology, suggests that this should be the technology of choice for the future in State-owned power utility Eskom’s power stations. →

SMOKE STACKS The emissions of concern in coal-fired technology are carbon dioxide, sulphur oxide, nitrogen oxide and particulates (usually fly ash of various sizes)

Country recovering slowly from distorted lockdown trade conditions, say Sacci

By: Tasneem Bulbulia 19th August 2020 The continuing lockdown has deepened the recessionary economic conditions and further distorted trade conditions, says the South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Sacci). It adds that the selected restrictive approach towards certain types of trade, especially during the hard lockdown... →

AfCFTA commissions Ghanaian secretariat

By: Donna Slater 18th August 2020 The first permanent secretariat of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) was commissioned in Accra, Ghana, on August 18, with Ghana President Nana Akufo-Addo and Africa Union (AU) Commission chairperson Moussa Mahamat reiterating the importance of the body to the continent’s economic... →

Competition Tribunal approves Senwesbel merger

By: Donna Slater 18th August 2020 The Competition Tribunal has issued an order approving the proposed merger between investment holdings company Senwesbel, its subsidiary agricultural business Senwes, and agricultural company Suidwes Holdings. This follows merger proceedings during which the tribunal heard evidence and arguments... →

Now is time for swift action to kickstart economy – B4SA

By: Donna Slater 17th August 2020 Business for South Africa (B4SA) has welcomed President Cyril Ramaphosa’s announcement to move the country to Covid-19 Alert Level 2, which will enable South African businesses and entrepreneurs to resume trading in virtually all sectors of the economy. B4SA steering co-chairperson Martin... →

Alcohol industry welcomes lifting of alcohol sales ban, counts losses

By: Donna Slater 17th August 2020 Both stakeholders in the South African alcohol industry and wine industry representative organisation Vinpro have welcomed government’s decision to lift the ban on alcohol sales as part of the move to Alert Level 2, which comes into effect at midnight on Monday. Vinpro states that the wine... →

Covid-19 severely impacts business confidence, unemployment

By: Donna Slater 17th August 2020 Strategy and investment consulting firm Singular Group says the Covid-19 pandemic has severely impacted South Africa’s economy, to such an extent that business confidence is at an all-time low, 22% lower than during the 2008 global financial crisis and currently ranking in the 8% range. During... →

World’s biggest free-trade pact targets first deal in 2021

By: Bloomberg 16th August 2020 The first commercial deal under an Africa-wide free trade zone will take place on January 1 as outstanding talks are set to move online, the African Union said. While the African Continental Free Trade Area entered into force legally last year, transactions that were due to start on July 1 were... →

Greater collaboration needed in steel supply chain

By: Darren Parker 14th August 2020 To ensure security of steel supply, the South African Institute for Steel Construction (SAISC) is calling for greater collaboration among all players in the local steel supply chain, from upstream producers to downstream merchants. Local steel demand was low before the Covid-19 pandemic, which... →

Photo by Adobe
RELIABLE ROLLOUT? The security of steel supply is a key concern for downstream merchants and fabricators

Growthpoint completes Lakeside Mall redevelopment

By: Donna Slater 13th August 2020 Property developer Growthpoint Properties has introduced two new anchor tenants − Pick n Pay and Dis-Chem − to the Lakeside Mall, in Benoni, Gauteng. This follows the completion of the final phase of a three-year, R135-million upgrade. The reconfigured space represents 4 900 m2 of gross... →

Competition Tribunal confirms another settlement in maize cartel case

By: Tasneem Bulbulia 12th August 2020 The Competition Tribunal has confirmed a settlement agreement between the Competition Commission and GWK Farm Foods, in which the company admits to its involvement in a maize milling cartel and agrees to pay an administrative penalty of R10-million. This is the fourteenth settlement agreement to... →

PIC appoint acting CIO

By: Donna Slater 7th August 2020 State-owned asset management firm the Public Investment Corporation (PIC) has appointed Sholto Dolamo as acting chief investment officer (CIO) with effect from August 6. He is PIC research and projects development executive head and a member of the PIC executive committee. →

Australia views resources resilience as core to post-pandemic recovery

By: Esmarie Iannucci 7th August 2020 The onset of the Covid-19 pandemic early in 2020 completely changed the global social and economic landscape, causing travel restrictions and physical distancing precautions in an effort to halt the spread of the virus. Commodity prices, specifically that of oil and oil price-linked liquefied... →

EIB, Afreximbank direct €300m of support to Africa's Covid-19 response

By: Donna Slater 6th August 2020 The European Investment Bank (EIB), an arm of the European Union, and multilateral trade finance institution, the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), are directing €300-million of financing to support the resilience and recovery of African nations in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. The... →

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