Business Unity South Africa (Busa) said on Tuesday that it is "pleased" with economic policies adopted by President Jacob Zuma's administration.

Before Zuma took office as President, there had been concerns that he would adopt left-wing policies, which had not happened, Busa's CEO Jerry Vilakazi told a press briefing in Johannesburg.

He also referred to Zuma's response to nationalisation during the President's recent official visit to the UK.

"The President gave an excellent response to the question of nationalisation, saying that South Africa is a democratic country and people are free to debate this issue. Busa shares that position."

He said that at present, nationalisation was not government policy.

"The ruling party has pulled itself away from nationalisation, but there is a question we need to answer, and that is why after 15 years of democracy, this question of nationalisation is coming up again?"

Busa would talk with the African National Congress (ANC) to seek clarity on the issue.

Turning to South Africa's energy problems, Vilakazi said that Busa reiterated its support for the World Bank loan to parastatal Eskom.

"Busa is convinced that it is a necessary additional source of funding which South Africa cannot afford to forego. Failure to borrow sensibly for Eskom's needs will either mean yet higher electricity tariffs or the risk of load-shedding if the Medupi power station is not completed in time."

Busa was, however, encouraged by the recently published Rules on the Refit Criteria by the National Energy Regulator of South Africa.

"These provide for the licensing of independent power producers and cogeneration as required by the Electricity Act."

Vilakazi said that attempts at energy diversification had to be guided by an integrated energy planning process.

"Busa is thus calling for government to fast-track the development of the Integrated Resource Plan as required by the National Energy Act."

This would enable better coordination and coherence within government and society in addressing current problems.

Turning to the forthcoming FIFA World Cup, he stressed that Busa had warned its members not to be tempted to charge inflated prices to profiteer unduly during the event. He was worried if prices rose during the event, they might not come down afterwards.

Profiteering would be "self-defeating action" that would not serve the national interest.

Vilakazi said that entrepreneurs could either make South Africa a top destination for tourism or it could leave World Cup Soccer visitors angry because of high prices.

"And it's not only people who come from outside - the World Cup is an opportunity for domestic tourism.

"If South Africans have to sleep in their cars while going to a game because they cannot afford a hotel, this will create long-term damage for domestic tourism," he added.

On the Industrial Policy Action Plan (IPAP 2) which was intended to last over three years (2011 to 2013), Vilakazi said that his organisation was worried about its implementation.

"Implementation remains a challenge owing to the apparent lack of common ground between the Treasury and the department of trade and industry."

He said that the cost of doing business in South Africa remained uncompetitive in global terms, "largely owing to the ever increasing regulatory burden and decreasing capacity of government to manage the regulatory regimes".