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On 26 August 2009 the Department of Trade and Industry’s International Trade and Economic Development Division made a submission to the Portfolio Committee on Trade and industry on opportunities and challenges facing South Africa within the World Trade Organisation’s (WTO) Doha Developmental Agenda. Key issues addressed by the Doha Round included negotiations around industrial tariffs, agricultural tariffs and support measures, anti-dumping, countervailing measures, liberalisation of services, intellectual property rights, the environment, and trade facilitation. Mr Xavier Carim, Deputy Director General, Department of Trade and Industry’s International Trade and Economic Development Division, stated that there was some room for South Africa to improve agriculture’s contribution to the economy. There was also a presentation and discussions on the issue of regional economic integration in Southern Africa. This and other parliamentary reports are available on the South African Agricutural Business Chamber‘s website.

The Director-General of the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform on 25 August 2009 made a submission to the Portfolio Committee on Rural Development and Land Reform on the comprehensive rural development programme and specifically the pilot projects in Giyani and at Riemvasmaak. Mr Gwanya explained that a detailed needs analysis was done at the pilot sites, which were identified in co-operation with the Premiers of the Northern Cape and Limpopo. Needs included things like access roads, housing, water, infrastructure, food security, agriculture, education, employment, health and community facilities. He explained that different government departments would now take responsibility for the different needs with the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform playing a co-ordinating role. View the Agricultural Business Chambers’ reports on the on their website.