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MBAWC supports instruction by Davies

18 Jun 2014

The Master Builders Association of the Western Cape (MBAWC) has expressed its support of a statement by Trade and Industry Minister, Rob Davies, that the buying of South African goods and services should now be presented as an instruction rather than in the form of an appeal or advice.

"We hope that the Minister is instructing his government to buy local too," says MBAWC executive director, Rob Johnson.

"Many of our members are manufacturers and suppliers who have experienced first-hand this lack of government support. Sanitary ware and plumbing suppliers, for instance, note that government often procures these types of goods from Asia and Europe instead of locally," says Johnson.

Charity begins at home

"Even amongst local and provincial governments we are seeing bricks being shipped in from other parts of the country for use in the construction of schools and other projects in lieu of those which could be made within the area where they are required.

"I would like to remind national, provincial and local governments that charity begins at home and to urge them to support local businesses," concludes Johnson.

Signed in October 2011, the local procurement accord is aimed at increasing domestic procurement and support for local manufacturing by business, labour, the government and communities with the hope of creating five million jobs by 2020.