South Africa's Minister of Finance, Trevor Manuel
News
Finance Minister to announce Eskom support
20 February 2008 - Budget allocations to support national electricity provider Eskom, are expected to be announced by Finance Minister Trevor Manuel, when he delivers the national budget, later on Wednesday.
Indian tech giant becomes 4th sponsor of 2010
25 November 2007 - An Indian global consulting and information technology service provider, Satyam, has become the fourth sponsor after Anheuser-Busch, McDonald's and MTN to sign up for the 2010 FIFA World Cup™.
IIC satisfied with SA's preparation for 2010
12 November 2007 - The International Investment Council (IIC) is satisfied with South Africa's preparation for the 2010 FIFA World Cup™.
12 November 2007
IIC satisfied with SA's preparation for 2010
Zama FeniGeorge - The International Investment Council (IIC) is satisfied with South Africa's preparation for the 2010 FIFA World Cup™.
Speaking at the IIC media briefing in George on Sunday, Trade and Industry Minister Mandisi Mpahlwa said the construction of roads, stadiums that is currently underway in South African cities has been warmly received by the members of the council.
Minister Mpahlwa indicated that government has a responsibility to keep the council, the media and the public informed about all the developments taking place with regard to the 2010 event.
"The work that the government has done is an indication of our commitment to this project and we would like to invite the international community to join us all as we approach 2010," he said.
Mr Mpahlwa said that skills challenge is one of the aspects that the IIC takes seriously.
The council members reiterated their support for government's Accelerated and Shared Growth Initiative of South Africa (AsgiSA) and the Joint Initiative for Priority Skills Acquisition (JIPSA's) programmes.
AsgiSA aims to halve poverty and unemployment by 2014 and achieve a 6 percent annual economic growth rate by 2010.
JIPSA in turn, aims to assist in achieving these goals by sourcing, creating and securing the skilled workforce needed to fuel the economy.
It also expressed the satisfaction in the growing performance of the South African economy's continuous improvement in the regulatory environment and infrastructure development.
He said it is important for market lead economic sectors to attract investments.
"This is an urgent task since investors throughout the world are in constant search for investment opportunities. To this end South African embassies and High Commissions are an integral in conducting economic diplomacy."
Council members also noted progress in the Jobs for Growth Programme and emphasised the need for government to work on measures of drawing large number of young people into the labour market.
Members of the IIC include Masaki Miyaji (Mitsubishi Corporation), Jurgen Shrempp (Daimler Chrysler) Naill Fitzgerald (Reuters Group), Ratan Tata (Tata Sons Limited), Sir Samuel Jonah (Anglo Gold Ashanti), Lakshmi Mittal (Mittal Steel), Dr Martin Kohlhaussen (Commerzbank AG) and Sir Anthony O'Reilly (Independent News and Media).
President Thabo Mbeki, Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, Minister Mpahlwa and a number of other government ministers are also part of the IIC.
Earlier this year, council members also reiterated there "there is no doubt" South Africa would host a successful tournament.
The council also discussed the progress made in preparation for the tournament including the building of stadia.
"I can say [preparations] are well underway. What had to be done so far has been done and in some instances it went beyond set targets.
"It will be a huge success. It has to be a huge success because it is important not only to South Africa but to the whole continent," said Mr Shrempp, one of the council members at the time.
Sir O'Reilly expressed his confident that the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup would be one of the greatest ever.
Source: BuaNews