Developing South Africa's Rural Economies
Dr John Purchase, Agbiz CEO, was interviewed this week by Redi Tlhabi on Talk Radio 702 on "Developing SA's Rural Economies". Key points made in the interview were the role agriculture, and especially the forward and backward linkages in the value chain, can play in contributing to rural development. However, a targeted government programme, developed for each rural district, was necessary to create an environment conducive to investment by agriculture, agribusiness and other sectors of the economy. Click here to listen to the padcast» |
Agbiz debates Unity in Agriculture at Agri Mega Week
 Agri Mega, a member of Agbiz, last week hosted its annual agricultural exhibition as the Agri Mega Week outside Bredasdorp in the beautiful Ruens of the Southern Cape. As part of its activities it hosted a a debate 'One Agriculture, One Vision', and invited a panel to introduce the positions of various representative organisations in agriculture. Dr John Purchase, CEO of Agbiz, represented the Agricultural Business Chamber on the panel. Please click to access Die Burger news report and the Fin24 news report for further information.
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Macro-economic Impact of the Wine Industry on the South African Economy
For the most part of the first decade of the second millennium, the wine industry in South Africa experienced a significant swing towards red wine production - moving from 18% of planting in 1996 to 44% in 2008. This gave rise to a surplus production position putting downward pressure on producers' prices.
Given that the local demand for wine, red wine in particular, did not match the increased supply, the local industry was forced to enter the export market in a much more aggressive way than ever before. No wonder then that export, as percentage of local production increased from 21% in 1999 to 54% in 2008.
Download full impact study report»
Download the executive summary» |
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Commission for Employment Equity Annual Report
 Last week the Minister of Labour, Mildred Oliphant, released the 12th Commission of Employment Equity (CEE) annual report.
The report covers highlights for the stated period, the Economically Active Population (EAP) workforce distribution, a trends analysis of information contained in reports received in 2011 for each of the four upper occupational levels i.e. Top Management, Senior Management, Professionally Qualified and Skilled Technical.
Click to download the 12th CEE Annual Report and Minister's briefing notes» |
Aligning existing Memorandum and Articles of Association with the Companies Act
 The Companies Act 71 of 2008 ("Act") took effect on 1 May 2011. Companies may amend or replace their existing Memorandum and Articles of Association before 30 April 2013 to align constitutive documents with the requirements of the Act. More information»
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BUSA's Parliamentary NewsWatch
 In this issue of Parliamentary NewsWatch:
* Parliament Now - Updates on legislation and hearings at Parliament
* Protection of Personal Info Law - 5 things business needs to know
* Independent Power Producers -Entry into market delayed
* Land Development & Planning - A new legislative framework
* Private Security - New regulations on ownership and control
* Bills currently at Parliament |
Support to agriculture at historic lows, says OECD
 Yesterday the OECD released its publication "Agricultural Policy: Monitoring and Evaluation 2012", noting that government support to agriculture in OECD countries fell to 19% of total farm receipts in 2011 - a record low. Further details can be found by clicking here»
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USAID Vacancy: AID Development Assistance Specialist/Agriculture
 An opportunity for rewarding work with USAID regional agricultural programs, including policy, market integration, trade and food security, exists. This position requires a high-level of understanding of those issues in the region and across the continent. If you have colleagues or contacts who might be interested in this exciting opportunity, please peruse the vacancy announcement.
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Tanzania Agribusiness Investors Meeting
Agbiz has been informed by Mr David Nyange from USAID/Tanzania that there will be an investors meeting in Tanzania on 20 November 2012. David and Tom Hobgood from USAID/Tanzania can provide more information and the details on the meeting, on request. This meeting will mostly be for private sector investment in the rice, sugar, livestock, and energy sectors in the Southern Agricultural Growth Corridor of Tanzania (SAGCOT). For more information on the SAGCOT initiative, click here» |
Trade and Investment Mission to Cameroon
22 September - 3 October 2012
More information |
AllFresh!2012 Conference and Expo
Growing a vigorous fresh produce industry for a healthy people and planet
1, 2 October 2012 | CSIR | Pretoria
www.allfresh.co.za |
Strategic Thinking in Agribusiness Workshop
3 October 2012 | Bloemfontein
More information» |
15th International Business Forum 2012
"Low Carbon, High Growth - Business Models for a Changing Climate" (IBF)
21 - 23 October | Pretoria
More information» |
International PMA Fresh Summit 2012
26 - 28 October 2012 | Anaheim | California
More information»
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Africa Works! Conference, Netherlands
29 - 30 October | Netherlands
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11th GLOBAL G.A.P. SUMMIT
6 - 8 November 2012 | Madrid | Spain
Register by 31 August 2012 and SAVE up to 20%
More information» |
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The Economist - Feeding the World Summit
15 - 16 November | Johannesburg Agbiz is proudly supporting The Economist - Feeding the World Summit. Members and contacts are offered an exclusive 15% discount to attend if they register before 1 October 2012. More information» |
