MEC Mokoena urges Mpumalanga to grasp opportunities in the green economy

The MEC for Economic Development, Environment and Tourism, Mr Norman Mokoena says now is the right time for Mpumalanga and South Africa to grasp the opportunities in the green economy when he tabled the Departmental Policy and Budget for the 2012-2013 financial year.

"In our quest to seize the opportunities in the Green Economy, we have prioritised this sector in the Mpumalanga Economic Growth and Development Path (the MEGDP). Mpumalanga Province and South Africa are positioned to take advantage of the possibilities offered by the green economy revolution. As a Province, we will do everything in our power to ensure that we meet all the goals that we have set for ourselves on this issue.

According to the Green Jobs Report, the green economy presents the province with an opportunity to create 98 000 direct jobs in the short term, and around 462 000 employment opportunities in the formal economy by 2025. Accordingly, the National Treasury has also made available R8 000 Million for the "Green Fund" over the coming two years, as a catalyst to support projects designed to help South Africa's transition to allow carbon, resource efficient and job creation economy.

MEC Mokoena tabled a budget of R770 191 Million to the Mpumalanga Provincial Legislature on 22 May 2012. The R770 191 Million budget included transfers to Public Entities, to the tune of R523 723 Million (which represents 68% of the budget).

MEC Mokoena further announced that the Department and its public entities will ensure that the development of small businesses and co-operatives are high in the agenda of government. This will be done by continuing to work closely with national agencies such as Small Development Agencies, (SEDA), National Empowerment Fund (NEF), Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), Small Enterprise Finance Agency (SEFA) and the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA).

"We will visit our current support approaches with a view of developing comprehensive support packages which can assist in creating viable and successful small business and co-operatives," added MEC Mokoena.

He also mentioned that MEGA, facilitated export trade to the value of R6.5 Million and new direct investment to the value of R195 million. It also funded 58 businesses – of which 38 were agricultural loans, to the tune of R39.5 Million, including 18 home loans to the value of R7.2 Million.