PRESIDENT ZUMA LAUNCHES OPERATION PHAKISA

Through this initiative, the Malaysian Government was able to register impressive results within a short period.

On 19 July 2014, President Jacob Zuma launched the first phase of Operation Phakisa – an initiative aimed at fast-tracking the delivery of the priorities outlined in the National Development Plan (NDP).

President Zuma first announced Operation Phakisa during his reply to the State of the Nation Address debate in June.

The operation is modelled around the Government of Malaysia’s Big Fast Results methodology, which the country used to address its national key priority areas such as poverty, crime and unemployment.

It involves setting up clear targets and follows up with an ongoing monitoring process which makes the results public.

The NDP, also known as Vision 2030, is the country's 30-year framework for growing the economy while tackling unemployment, poverty and inequality.

The first implementation of Operation Phakisa will be led by the Department of Environmental Affairs and will focus on unlocking the economic potential of South Africa’s oceans.

According to The Presidency, the country’s oceans are estimated to have the potential to contribute up to R177 billion to gross domestic product (GDP) by 2033. In 2010, the oceans contributed approximately R54 billion to South Africa’s GDP and accounted for approximately 316 000 jobs.

Speaking at the launch of the initiative at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre, in Durban, President Zuma said government chose the ocean economy with good reason.

“South Africa is uniquely bordered by the ocean on three sides – east, south and west. With the inclusion of Prince Edward and Marion Islands in the southern ocean, the coastline is approximately 3 924 km long,” he told the delegates. But despite this, the vast ocean space is relatively unexplored in terms of its economic potential.

To tap into the ocean, government has identified four priority sectors on which Operation Phakisa will focus. These are marine transport and manufacturing activities, such as coastal shipping, trans-shipment, boat building, repair and refurbishment; offshore oil and gas exploration; aquaculture and marine protection services; and ocean governance.

The second implementation of Operation Phakisa will be to pilot the health sector’s Ideal Clinic Initiative to improve service delivery in the country’s clinics nationwide, which will commence later in 2014. – Source: www.SAnews.gov.za

Read more: http://www.dirco.gov.za/dircoenewsletter/newsflash125-25-07-2014.html

zurück