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The South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SACCI) congratulates the National Planning Commission (NPC) on the revised National Development Plan (NDP). The NDP is one of the most important long-term strategy documents for South Africa and contains a host of practical and creative proposals to better economic and social conditions in the country. The NDP also confirms that the South African business community has an important role to play in strengthening the economic conditions in the country.

The original and revised NDP are both lengthy documents that require detailed analysis to ensure that no unintended consequences would develop from otherwise well intentioned policy proposals. It is important to note that the role of organized business is to sensitize government to the multitude of possible effects, both positive and detrimental, which may flow from official policy. So while the NDP as a whole is certainly a positive initiative towards achieving policy cohesion in South Africa it cannot circumvent the public debate altogether. Through such an engagement, a more efficient co-ordination of viewpoints can be reached on an agreed document that will secure the support of the South African business community. Once agreed, all stakeholders in South Africa can work towards short and medium term plans that will give effect to the goals of the NDP.

SACCI supported many of the proposals made in the original NDP in principle and looks forward to interrogating the revised edition both during as well as in the lead up to our Annual Convention on the 4th and 5th October 2012. The SACCI Annual Convention (see sacci.org.za) will address as its theme the challenge of job creation across all businesses and pay particular attention to SME financing and development as a significant means of facilitating job creation.