Issued by: Office of the Presidency
15 FEBRUARY 2000
President Thabo Mbeki held a successful meeting in Pretoria today of all the economic working groups that were announced in his State of Nation Address on the 25 June 1999. The meeting was two hours long.
The aim of the meeting was to listen to the views of the different role players in the economy on the question of inflation targeting which will be addressed by the Minister of Finance in his budget speech next week.
Representatives from the following working groups participated in the meeting:
- Big Business
- Black Business
- Labour
- Commercial Agriculture
- Black Agriculture
The working groups were established to facilitate the building of consensus on major issues affecting the economy and development. This morning's consultation therefore took place in this context. The need for ongoing discussion between all role-players in the economy was stressed. The President pointed out that government values the input made by labour and business as well as the different agricultural sectors in the inflation targeting discussion.
The discussions were cordial, constructive and fruitful. The President was accompanied by the Minister of:
- Finance
- Trade and Industry
- Agriculture
- Minerals and Energy
- Public Enterprises
- Public Service and Administration
- Minister in the Office of the President
The Deputy Minister of Finance, the Governor and Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank were also present in the meeting as well the Director-General in the Office of the Presidency.
Further inquiries:
Tasneem Carrim
083-650-7119