The sixth iteration of the Industrial Policy Action Plan (IPAP 6) fails to go far enough in aggressively stimulating export growth in order to create real jobs for South Africa’s poor.
   
Yesterday, Minister of Trade and Industry, Rob Davies, unveiled the plan as part of government’s attempt to address the country’s poor terms of trade.  
      
In the past, South Africa has consistently posted trade deficits primarily due to the deterioration in commodities exports and high imports of value added goods.
     

The Minister’s plan fails to introduce drastic measures aimed at improving entrepreneurship and creating a competitive labour environment which would improve South Africa’s exports in international markets.
     
 
Instead, pandering to ANC alliance partner, Cosatu, the Minister remains preoccupied with industrial planning, too heavily, focused on protecting pre-existing labour intensive industries whose production is largely destined for domestic markets.  
      
This fails to create opportunities for the expansion of the South African export market and the creation of radical economic growth.
    
The DA stands in support of inclusive industrial planning that is strategically focused at supporting entrepreneurship, generating jobs and improving South Africa’s terms of trade.
    
     
Minister Davies must show the same resolve.