The Minister of Science and Technology, Naledi Pandor, will launch a multimillion rand programme today, 1 March 2010, in a bid to improve the technology base of 28 ompanies that manufacture casting materials in the country.

The media is invited to the launch, which takes place at the CSIR International Convention Centre, Meiring Naudé Road, Brummeria, Pretoria, at 16:00.

The Minister of Science and Technology, Naledi Pandor, will launch a multimillion rand programme today, 1 March 2010, in a bid to improve the technology base of 28 ompanies that manufacture casting materials in the country. 

Driven by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), the Technology Localisation Programme (TLP) is in line with government's Competitive Supplier Development Programme (CSDP), which is aimed at increasing the competitiveness of the local supply base through a range of demand and supply-side measures.  

This will assist local companies to leverage procurement opportunities from the government's large-scale infrastructure recapitalisation programme over the next 20 years.  

The initiative is also linked to high-level government initiatives such as the Industrial Policy Action Programme (IPAP), developed to help South Africa reduce its trade deficit while improving its long-term manufacturing capacity – a significant step towards scaling up efforts to promote long-term industrialisation and industrial diversification beyond the current reliance on traditional commodities and non-tradable services. 

It is important for local foundries to be globally competitive as they form the backbone upon which the country's supply chains can be further developed for big infrastructure programmes, such as the ones of Eskom and Transnet, to support and drive localisation.

Through the TLP initiative, foundries will be able to access expertise from the DST activities in Advanced Manufacturing and Light Metals.

The DST is working in partnership with the Departments of Trade and Industry, and Public Enterprises, the foundry industry and development agencies to drive localisation in the country. 

-Ends

For media enquiries, please contact:

Ms Veronica Mohapeloa

Tel.: 012 843 6788 or 082 882 3818

Email: veronica.mohapeloa@dst.gov.za

or

Ministerial spokesperson, Mr Lunga Ngqengelele

Tel.: 012 843 6802 or 082 566 0446

Email: lunga.ngqengelele@dst.gov.za

Issued by the Department of Science and Technology