Business’ commitment to NDP welcomed

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14 May 2014

The government has welcomed Business Unity South Africa’s (Busa’s) post-election pledge to support the implementation of the National Development Plan (NDP).

The NDP is the country’s 30-year growth and development framework for growing the economy while tackling unemployment, poverty and inequality.

Following the African National Congress’s (ANC’s) victory with a 62% majority in South Africa’s fifth democratic election, President Jacob Zuma said on the weekend that the new administration would give the green light to implementing the NDP and promoting inclusive economic growth and job creation.

On Monday, Busa, South Africa’s largest business lobby group, said it was ready to help the government with implementing the NDP. Busa acting CEO Cas Coovadia said business needed to identify “concrete” programmes within the NDP that it could start implementing.

In response, acting Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) CEO Phumla Williams said on Tuesday that a high degree of collaboration between business and the government was needed for the NDP’s success.

“The pledge by Busa is a step in the right direction to realising Vision 2030,” Williams said, adding: “This is the country’s blueprint, and not only government’s initiative. All citizens should embrace Vision 2030 and work together to grow our economy and improve the lives of South Africans.”

Rating agency Moody’s said on Tuesday that the ANC’s decisive victory in last week’s general election was “credit positive” for South Africa, as it cleared the way for the government to push ahead with implementing the NDP.

“Our key takeaway from this election is that macroeconomic policy continuity is now more assured, a credit positive,” Moody’s said in a credit report.

SAinfo reporter and SAnews.gov.za