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DTI ready to submit codes to Cabinet

By Itumeleng Mogaki, ITWeb junior journalist
Johannesburg, 11 Oct 2005

The first phase of the Department of Trade and Industry`s (DTI`s) Codes of Good Practice are ready to be presented by the DTI`s black economic empowerment (BEE) chief-director, Polo Radebe, to Cabinet this week.

If Cabinet approves the codes, they will be gazetted and open for public comment and recommendations.

The ICT industry`s empowerment charter, which was initially expected to be in operation by mid-2005, has been delayed as a result of the steering committee awaiting the DTI`s codes.

This is due to recommendations by industry stakeholders that the ICT charter guidelines be closely aligned with the DTI`s codes to assist those industries that are governed by both sets of guidelines.

The DTI`s codes are expected to be applied in the development, evaluation and monitoring of BEE charters including the ICT charter.

DTI team assistant Zameka Stungu says the DTI`s codes were delayed due to substantial input from stakeholders. "The minister`s approval of the first phase was delayed as a result of an embargo by stakeholders that the codes be open for public comment before being submitted to Cabinet."

She adds that the codes were supposed to have been reviewed two weeks ago, but the DTI received a notice that Parliament was closed. "We were notified that Parliament was in recess and were given the date for the presentation."

Stungu says Radebe, DTI`s BEE director Jeffery Ndumo and other directors within the DTI as well as economic empowerment-rating agency Empowerdex were responsible for putting together the codes.

"The first phase is completed and as soon as Cabinet approval is received, the second phase will start with the public giving their input, and the final codes can be expected to be in operation sometime next year," says Stungu.

With regards to the DTI`s codes delaying other charters, she adds: "The DTI is in constant communication with the charters and they are always informed of the latest developments."

Related stories:
Charter group awaits DTI code
Minister gets charter
ICT charter 'ready by next week`
Final charter draft not so final

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