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The Ministers of Trade and Industry, Science and Technology, Health and Economic Development today announced a new initiative to produce pharmaceuticals in South Africa in partnership with two large foreign companies. The Ketlaphela project will aim to produce anti-retroviral medicines for South African consumption.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) fully supports this proposal. It will bring investment from foreign companies, create jobs, contribute to lowering the price of ARVs for our people and help to incubate research and development in this vital sector. It is a solid, forward-looking proposal.

The DA-run Western Cape government has also spearheaded a similar initiative under the Cape Biotech Initiative. We believe these investments will deliver jobs today and the necessary research and development to remain competitive in future.