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STATEMENT ON PRESIDENT MBEKI'S MEETING WITH THE JOINT WORKING GROUP
President Mbeki hosted a meeting of the 4 Working Groups jointly, in Pretoria this morning. The 4 Working Groups were established by President Mbeki at the end of 1999 with the aim of government consulting all the main players in South Africa's economic development.
President Mbeki was accompanied by:
* Alec Erwin, Minister of Trade and Industry;
* Thoko Didiza, Minister of Agriculture and Land Affairs;
* Geraldine Faser-Moleketi, Minister of Public Service and Administration;
* Membathisi Mdladlana, Minister of Labour;
* Essop Pahad, Minister in The Presidency;
* Stella Sigcau, Minister of Public Works;
* Trevor Manuel, Minister of Finance; and
* Sipho Mpahlwa, Deputy Minister of Finance
The Working Groups consisted of the main role players in Big Business, Black Business, Commercial Agriculture and the Trade Unions.
In 2000, there were 2 Joint Working Group meetings held. These meetings canvassed the views of the different Working Groups on inflation targeting and the main issues in the Minister of Finance's Budget for 2000. Today's meeting aimed at canvassing views of the Working Groups on the Medium Term Budget Policy Statement as well as to discuss the achievements and challenges confronting government and society as a whole.
An extensive presentation was done on the broad macro economic picture and Medium Term Budget Policy Framework. All speakers expressed full support for, and confidence in the South African economy and the country's future.
The meeting also aimed to evaluate the views of the Working Group constituencies and government on the major achievements in the current year and challenges in the coming year. The Working Groups each made presentations in this regard.
The meeting resolved that the various constituencies would consider the proposal to convene a Growth Summit during the course of next year for all sectors to work together more intensely to take the country into a higher growth path.
Enquiries: Tasneem Carrim at 083 650 7119
Issued by: The Presidency, 7 December 2001