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DST hosts Industry Innovation Partnership Workshop
 The Department of Science and Technology (DST) is encouraging Industry Innovation Partnerships as part of a broader government effort to support industry competitiveness. The main objective is to create an environment where government can effectively partner with industry and support co-investments in research, development and innovation (RDI) in key strategic sectors of the economy.
At a DST Workshop held in Pretoria this morning, information about two of the existing sector innovation programmes supported by the DST were presented to workshop participants, namely the Post Harvest Innovation (PHI) Programme and the South African Minerals to Metals Research Institute (SAMMRI).
Please click the link to peruse Mr Anton Kruger, CEO: Fresh Produce Exporters' Forum (FPEF) presentation on the Post-Harvest Innovation Programme. Also linked below is a virtual publication of the Post-Harvest Innovation Programme 2012, which consists of two parts: The first section heralds PHI-2, the latest and second phase of the government-funded Post-Harvest Innovation Programme; and the second section is titled, PHI-1, which recaptures previously published efforts and reports on those projects that laid the foundation for this programme. Click here to view the publication»
Interested industry associations representing various economic sectors or sub-sectors are invited to submit partnership proposals to the DST to create and manage Sector-specific Innovation Funds (SIF). The closing date for submissions is Friday, 16 August 2013 at 15h00.
For further information please contact Mr Isaac Maredi at Tel: (012) 843 6524, email: isaac.maredi@dst.gov.za
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SIP 11 Infrastructure Information Request
Agbiz is assisting the National Agricultural Marketing Council (NAMC) to obtain information with regard to agricultural infrastructure, which they need to write business plans, which will feed into the Strategic Integrated Project (SIP), overseen by the Presidential Infrastructure Coordinating Commission (PICC). Linked is extra background information in a letter from the NAMC.
Click here for the framework, constructed by the NAMC to obtain information from private sector role players and agribusinesses. The template requests information regarding existing infrastructure, as well as proposed developments. Your assistance will be greatly appreciated.
Kindly send the template with information on your business' relevant infrastructure (existing and proposed) by 5 July 2013 to Mrs Lindie Stroebel at e-mail: lindie@agbiz.co.za
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Research Grant opportunity for agro-processing
 The Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) together with the Economic Development Department (EDD), entered into an agreement for the IDC to manage the Agro Processing Competitiveness Fund (APCF). The objective of the APCF is to facilitate increased competitiveness, growth, job creation and development in the agro-processing and beverages sectors.
The APCF is calling for interested institutions (both public and private) to apply for grant funding, focusing on topical research topics within the agro-processing sector; opportunities and challenges of rural agro-processing initiatives and others, which can be beneficial to the industry at large.
Proposals must be sent to kennethc@idc.co.za no later than
Wednesday, 31 July 2013 at 12h00.
Please click here to peruse the advertisement»
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The Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs invites all to submit written comments on the Disaster Management Amendment Bill.
The Bill aims to amend the Disaster Management Act, 2002, so as to:
▪ substitute and insert certain definitions;
▪ clarify policy focus on rehabilitation and functioning of disaster management centres;
▪ align the functions of the National Disaster Management Advisory Forum to accommodate the South African National Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction;
▪ provide for the South African National Defence Force and South African Police Service to assist the disaster management structures;
▪ provide for an extended reporting system by organs of state on information regarding occurrences leading to the declarations of disasters, expenditure on response and recovery, actions pertaining to risk reduction and particular problems experienced in dealing with disasters;
▪ strengthen reporting on implementation of policy and legislation relating to disaster risk reduction and management of allocated funding to municipal and provincial intergovernmental forums established in terms of the Intergovernmental Relations Act, 2005;
▪ expand the contents of disaster management plans to include conducting disaster risk assessments for functioning areas, mapping of risk, areas and communities vulnerable to disasters;
▪ provide measures to reduce the risk of disaster through adaptation to climate change and developing of early warning mechanisms;
▪ provide for regulations on disaster management, education and training matters.
Written comments on the Disaster Management Bill can be submitted before 22 July 2013 to the Agbiz office at e-mail: communication@agbiz.co.za.
Click to peruse the Disaster Management Amendment Draft Bill»
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Time to rethink SA's labour market: Lessons from Brazil, India & Malaysia
 With barely 40% of adults working, South Africa's labour market outcomes are among the worst in the world. A new report by the Centre for Development and Enterprise, RETHINKING SOUTH AFRICA'S LABOUR MARKET: Lessons from Brazil, India and Malaysia, compares the experiences of labour market regulation and reform of three developing countries and draws important lessons for South Africa's policy-makers. This short report summarises four expert papers, as well as the proceedings of a Round Table attended by leaders from government, business and labour.
Click here to peruse the report»
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Report on Food Safety and Food Labelling by DAFF, DoH and the dti
 The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF), the Department of Health (DoH) and the Department of Trade and Industry (the dti) embarked on a joint consultative process regarding food labelling and general food control following a joint seating of the Portfolio committees of the respective departments.
The report back is a product of the outcomes of the consultative process and is intended to outline some of the key challenges identified as well as proposal for interventions. In developing the report, the three departments held joint exploratory meeting in which a 'technical committee' (TC) was established. Other key strategic role players of the dti such as the National Consumer Commission (NCC) and the National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications (NRCS) participated.
Please click here for the full report» |
BUSA's Update on the four labour bills currently tabled at Parliament
 The Labour Relations Amendment Bill has been approved by the Portfolio Committee on Labour. The National Assembly attempted to adopt the Bill on 20 June but lacked the quorum to do so. As Parliament subsequently went into recess, the Bill will now be approved by the NA early in the 3rd parliamentary term which commences on 22 July.
The Basic Conditions of Employment Amendment Bill has been approved by the National Assembly, but has yet to be referred to the NCOP. It will likely be referred to the NCOP in the third term together with the LRA Bill.
With regard to the Employment Services Bill and Employment Equity Amendment the Portfolio Committee has yet to schedule public hearings. They will likely do so in the third term (July - September); Confirmation will only be received of the committee's intentions once it meets after the recess.
The process going forward:
- The Labour PC had initially planned on forwarding all four bills as a package to the NCOP. However, since the LRA and BCEA amendments have been finalised by the PC, and deliberations on the ES and EE Bills have yet to begin, it now appears as if the LRA and BCEA Bills will be forwarded to the NCOP during the third term. The EE and ES Bills will follow at a later date.
- It is very unlikely that the NCOP will advertise any of the labour bills for comment. However, they will consider written submissions that are sent to them, and may invite those who submit comments to appear before them. The NCOP does have the power to amend the Bills; any amendments they make will have to be referred back to the NA for approval.
- There is sufficient time left in the year for the NCOP to pass the LRA and BCEA Bills, but due to time constraints it is unlikely that the ES and EE Bills will be finalised this year.
Please click the linked documents to peruse the Acts:
Labour Relations Act B16A and B16B;
Basic Conditions of Employment Act B15A and B15B as approved by the Labour PC.
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18 Steps to Passing Legislation in South Africa
 If you ever wondered how legislation is passed in the South African legislative environment, this diagram can provide you with some insights thereon. For background information and understanding of the policy and legislation environment, click to see the 18 Steps to Passing Legislation diagram.
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DRDLR Draft Policy on Communal Land
 Director General of Rural Development and Land Reform, Mduduzi Shabane, on 7 June 2013 presented to Parliamentary Portfolio Committees on proposed policies on Communal Land Tenure Reform. Please click here to peruse the presentation» |
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Fertilizer Society of South Africa hosted annual congress
 The 53rd Annual Congress of the Fertilizer Society of SA was held in Durban on 19 June 2013. Speeches at the congress were focused on the theme: "The role of fertilizer and soil fertility in human nutrition in Sub-Sahara Africa." In terms of the new Companies Act, the Society elected its first board of directors, with Mr Adriaan de Lange (Omnia Fertilizer) as Chairperson and Mr Jaco Raath (Industrial Commodity Holdings) as Vice Chairperson. More information in Afrikaans |
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New Senwesbel Chairperson not a new face
 Senwesbel, holding company of the agricultural services group Senwes, has just appointed Dries Kruger as chairperson. This follows on the appointment of his predecessor, Danie Minnaar, as chairperson of Senwes after Japie Grobler recently announced that he will be retiring in August.
Photo: Dries Kruger, new chairperson of Senwesbel. The latter is the majority shareholder in Senwes.
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E BUSA BULLETIN May June 2013
Linked find the E-BUSA Bulletin for May/ June 2013.
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Infrastructure Africa Conference
16 - 17 July 2013 | Sandton Convention Centre | Sandton
More information
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Doing Business in Mozambique
6 August 2013 | PwC Sunninghill
Mozambique is becoming a world priority investment destination, powered by recent discoveries and development of natural resources, with South African companies being key investors and suppliers.
PwC invites Agbiz Members to join them for a presentation that will cover issues like investment opportunities, taxation in Mozambique, regulatory requirements for setting up, and interacting with authorities. Additionally, they will highlight the South African tax and exchange control implications to be aware of when investing overseas, and more. More information»
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The Fertilizer Society of SA Symposium
12 August 2013 | CSIR International Convention Centre | Pretoria
Theme: Principles of fertilizer recommendations based on international norms.
Enquiries: Hermien Wouda, Tel: (012) 349 1450 or e-mail: hermien@fssa.org.za
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PMA Fresh Connections & Expo14-15 August 2013 | Lord Charles Hotel |Somerset West PMA Fresh Connections Conference & Expo Contact Marianne van der Laarse for information on PMA membership, sponsorships and the expo: mvanderlaarse@pma.com
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Agriculture & Food Career Fair22 - 23 August 2013 | Rautenbach Hall | University of Pretoria
More information: Marianne van der Laarse, e-mail: info@careerfair.co.za or tel 012 3320696
www.careerfair.co.za
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China International Fair for Investment and Trade
8 - 11 September 2013, Xiamen
10 - 11 September 2013, Shanghai and
12 - 13 September 2013, Beijing
Enquiries: Makana Gerald Mandiwana at the Department of Trade and Industry, e-mail: MGMandiwana@thedti.gov.za
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Potatoes South Africa Congress
10-12 September 2013
For more information contact Monica van der Merwe at 012 349 1906 or email: monica@potatoes.co.za
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Big Iron Farm Show 2013
10-12 September 2013 | Fargo North Dakota | USA
Visitors will get a chance to see U.S. farm machinery in use in the fields; and meet personally with equipment company owners, operators and farmers who use the equipment.
More information»
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AMT South African Agri Outlook Conference
30 September 2013 | CSIR Conference Center
Enquiries: 012 348 8344 or 27 12 361 2748 or email: minda@amtrends.co.za
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Conference on "The Future of Commercial Farming in South Africa - Seeking Breakthrough"
8 - 9 October 2013 | Harrismith
Keynote Speakers: Ernst Janovsky and Clem Sunter
Enquiries: 058 622 1499 or 083 410 3867
Early bird registration fee extended to 15 August 2013.
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