The Industrial Research and Capacity Support Unit of the Department of Trade and Industry is hosting a panel discussion: How can South Africa promote a critical mass of black industrialists?

The discussion will be presented by Professor Chris Malikane, Economic Advisor to the Minister of Finance, Professor Jonathan Di John, senior lecturer of Political Economy at the University of London and Professor Mushtaq Khan, senior lecturer of Economics at the University of London.

Structural transformation through industrialisation has been the consistent driver of growth, employment and catch-up by developing countries with levels of income of advanced economies. South African manufacturing has underperformed relative to peer middle income developing countries, both under apartheid and over the post-apartheid period. Although South Africa has mobilised policies to promote Black Economic Empowerment, there has been limited black participation in ownership, management and fixed investment in the manufacturing sector.

In this context, the Industrial Development Capacity Building initiative of the dti, and the African Programme on Rethinking Development Economics (APORDE) is hosting a panel discussion to explore how South Africa can promote dynamic and internationally competitive black industrialists.

The session will take place as follows (see attached invitation and programme)
Date:    Wednesday 6 September 2017
Time:   18h30 - 20h30
Venue: the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) Conference Centre, 19 Fredman Drive, Sandown, Johannesburg

As space is limited, kindly submit all confirmations to Yvonne Davis by end business Tuesday 5 September 2017. Contact details: YDavis@thedti.gov.za  (021) 480 8054.