National Treasury has published an instruction note that from the 1st of February 2017 steel products and components for construction have been designated. The SAISC started the process with powerlines in 2009 and applied for designation of power station steelwork in 2012. Many people and government departments have been involved and we need to thank the dti for their help and support. What does this mean?
National Treasury has published an instruction note that from the 1st of February 2017 steel products and components for construction have been designated. The SAISC started the process with powerlines in 2009 and applied for designation of power station steelwork in 2012. Many people and government departments have been involved and we need to thank the dti for their help and support.
This is an important break-through for our Industry as it recognizes the major role played by the Steel Construction Industry in developing the country and achieving job preservation and job creation. The dti acknowledges that the designation instrument is only as strong as the level of compliance by departments and SoCs. Detailed compliance guidelines have now been produced in collaboration with the National Treasury, which will guide the auditing and reporting frameworks.
This is an important break-through for our Industry as it recognizes the major role played by the Steel Construction Industry in developing the country and achieving job preservation and job creation. The dti acknowledges that the designation instrument is only as strong as the level of compliance by departments and SoCs. Detailed compliance guidelines have now been produced in collaboration with the National Treasury, which will guide the auditing and reporting frameworks.
We need to work with the dti to ensure, training and capacity building are done with institutions that lead public procurement and strategic sourcing and monitoring and evaluation is necessary. This has started to bear fruit in the power line industry under the guidance of POLASA.
It is clear from the above that the work the SAISC had been doing for some time to create awareness and appreciation for the contribution our industry is making and can make has now borne fruit. Our products, namely “Fabricated Structural Steel” can typically achieve a 100% local content requirement and therefore contribute meaningfully to meeting local content targets on other products such as harbour cranes, etc.
All government buyers will not fall over themselves to now insist on buying South African and we as an industry will have to make every effort to hasten compliance. Any suspected import of fabricated structural steel has to be reported and investigated. Although mines and others are not bound by “designation”, it provides a strong basis from which to encourage private industry to support local industry.
Our industry dare not relax, as the underlying assumption is that we will improve competitiveness and maintain high levels of engineering excellence and quality. Our members must redouble their export efforts as this is the best proof of competitiveness and productivity.
