Patel asks business, labour to work together
Addressing the Supplier Development Summit on Thursday (14 March)‚ Patel said "a fractious and conflictual (sic) shop-floor is not conducive to the joint effort that is at the heart of successful industrialisation in a society".
"Workers and entrepreneurs need to co-operate to expand employment‚ develop industrial competencies‚ improve skills‚ strengthen productivity and address income and social inequalities. This is central to our progress as a nation," he said.
Patel went on to say that an international survey by consultancy firm‚ KPMG of 200 senior automotive sector executives‚ found SA to be the fifth best investment choice by car makers globally.
"The survey placed us above Japan, Western European and North American countries but also above other emerging economies such as Indonesia‚ Turkey‚ Vietnam and Colombia‚" he said.
Patel said this survey was an example of the successes that were achieved when the state worked closely with private sector partners.
He said that point was recognised by KPMG‚ which attributed the attractiveness of SA as an investment destination in the automotive sector to the "government's commitment to retain‚ support and grow the existing manufacturers and component suppliers operating in the country".