THE Black Business Council (BBC) wants an urgent meeting with President Cyril Ramaphosa and Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Ebrahim Patel over the state of the department.
BBC said it was concerned that the department of trade, industry and competition (DTIC) has been without a permanent director-general (DG) for more than two years.
The organisation said this is worrying because it affects trade matters in Mzansi.
“The BBC will meet Patel and Ramaphosa to sharply raise this issue that is bordering on bad corporate governance that is hindering service delivery. The previous permanent DG Lionel October left the department in April 2021 and Patel has not filled the position.
“This unfortunate situation has rendered this important department that drives trade matters dysfunctional, unstable, in disarray and in state of limbo,” said BBC in a statement.
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BBC claimed that many other senior management positions at the DTIC are occupied by people on an acting basis.
“This is an indictment on Minister Patel,” said BBC.
Meanwhile, the department successfully implemented the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) recently, which is expected to lead to diversification of exports and increased productive capacity.
According to the director of African Union and Africa Multilateral Economic Relations at the DTIC Claudia Furriel, AfCFTA will benefit the chemicals, cosmetics, plastics, and pharmaceutical sectors, as well as industry agencies, associations and export councils, including their members.
“The successful implementation of AfCFTA is expected to lead to diversification of exports, increased productive capacity, acceleration of growth, increased investment, increased employment opportunities and incomes and most importantly broaden economic inclusion,” she said.
