Cisco denies skills import

By Kimberly Guest for Cisco
Johannesburg, 30 Aug 2007

Cisco SA's talks with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) do not include the import of IT skills, says GM Steve Midgley.

Last week, ITWeb reported Midgley had said the company had presented a foreign investment proposal to the DTI that would provide for the import of e-skills to SA.

However, Midgley says he was misunderstood and the company has no plans to import skills.

"We are in discussions with the DTI on proposals that intend to facilitate the investment of tens-of-millions of rands. However, these proposals are based on local skills development and intellectual property development," he explains.

The discussions with the DTI are at an advanced stage, with at least one initiative expected to be announced next week.

"Our proposals are about addressing the local skills challenge. We are not bringing in skills," reiterates Midgley.