opportunities

With South Africa’s skills shortage a major impediment to economic growth, the Joint Initiative on Priority Skills Acquisition has been set up to find ways of improving training and attracting skilled foreigners to the country.

The Global Health Initiative of the World Economic Forum and pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly have launched a new toolkit that aims to boost the involvement of South African companies in tackling tuberculosis in the country.

The government has signed a memorandum of agreement with 23 mining companies to jointly invest R7.4-billion in the Olifants River water project, which aims to unlock mining opportunities, increase water provision and possibly generate electricity in the Limpopo province.

Lovers of fine wine can drink in the great scenery while they sip some of the fine wines produced in the beautiful Western Cape.

South African timber products manufacturer and distributor PG Bison has officially opened its R1.3-billion board plant outside Ugie in the Eastern Cape, creating 2 700 direct jobs, developing local skills and giving the provincial economy a much-needed boost.

An inspired performance by local man Davey Weare saw him surf to victory against the USA's Austin Ware in excellent surf at Ansteys on the Bluff near Durban to capture the Quiksilver Pro Durban title.

India is to offer trade privilages to African states, including a duty-free tariff scheme to 34 least developed countries, as the world's fourth largest economy seeks to increase trade between itself and the continent from the current levels of some US$30-billion per year.

Amsterdam-based brewer Heineken is to build its first South African brewery in partnership with spirits company Diageo, mainly to produce and bottle its Heineken and Amstel brands of beer.

Toyota South Africa will export over 140 000 vehicles to over 40 global destinations this year, following a multi-billion rand upgrade that has turned the company from a local supplier to an international export base, as well as Africa's biggest vehicle manufacturer.

South African state company Eskom has awarded French firm Alstom and the local arm of Germany-based Hitachi Power contracts worth more than R31-billion to equip a new coal-fired power station in Mpumalanga province.