Pretoria - Proudly South African (Proudly SA) has welcomed the new administration’s commitment to promote local procurement.
Delivering his State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Tuesday night, President Jacob Zuma announced that government will continue to roll out the implementation of the Industrial Policy Action Plan, which will help promote local procurement.
It will also increase domestic production by having the state buy 75% of goods and services from South African producers.
"President Zuma and the government's commitment to ‘Buy Local’ speaks directly to job creation and efforts to alleviate the triple challenges of unemployment, poverty and inequality in our country.
“Procurement officials within government need to now implement this commitment every time they sign on the dotted line," said Proudly SA's Chief Executive Officer Advocate Leslie Sedibe in reaction to the SONA.
Government will use the renewable energy sector, the manufacturing of buses, Transnet’s R50 billion locomotive contracts and PRASA’s passenger rail projects, among others, to promote local content and boost growth.
Sedibe said Proudly SA was ready to assist and support procurement officials to source local products and services as well as local manufacturers.
“We are merely a phone call away, so there's no longer any excuse to import goods which South Africa can produce locally especially in terms of products and sectors designated for local procurement by the Minister of the Department of Trade and Industry," added Sedibe.
Over the years, the dti has made designations for local procurement across various industries, including those in medicine and work wear.
Proudly SA, under its “buy local” campaign, encouraged all consumers to buy local products and services, in an effort to stimulate the local economy and ultimately create and sustain jobs.
It also promotes national pride, patriotism and social cohesion. - SAnews.gov.za
