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Other focus areas
Other focus areas include the following:
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The ABC is the only organisation that serves the broader and common business interests of agribusinesses in South Africa; |
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The ABC facilitates considerable networking opportunities so that South African agribusinesses can play an active and creative role within the local and international organised business environment. |
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The ABC is closely involved in the legislative and policy environment on many fronts. |
Business partners
The ABC is affiliated to Business Unity South Africa (BUSA) and the NEPAD Business Foundation (NBF), as well as associated with various international organisations such as the Business and Industry Advisory Committee to the OECD (BIAC).
Through the ABC, members can actively and creatively participate in a network that is widely recognised as an important, politically neutral and influential role player in the agribusiness sector of South Africa.
Key focus areas
During the past year the ABC focused primarily on the following important aspects, being identified as key strategic areas that have a direct influence on agribusinesses in South Africa:
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Economic policy, international trade, national & international competitiveness; |
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Black Economic Empowerment (BEE), transformation and the promotion of links between agribusinesses and the developing agricultural sector; |
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Agro-logistics and infrastructural constraints; |
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NEPAD and African issues, through the Africa Agribusiness Forum, NEPAD Business Foundation (NBF), NEPAD–OECD Africa Investment Initiative, AGRA and other fora; |
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Skills training, labour issues and HIV/Aids. |
The ABC was untill recently actively involved in negotiating the gazetted AgriBEE Transformation Charter, as well as in formulating policy in this regard and positioning agribusinesses accordingly. This policy stance will contribute towards broadening the economic base across all population groups and racial divides.
AgriBEE Charter Council
The ABC has also been appointed by the previous Minister of Agriculture and Land Affairs to serve on the AgriBEE Charter Council, which will in effect oversee the implementation of BBBEE in the broader agricultural sector. The AgriBEE Charter Council has already commenced with its critically important activities.
Land reform
The land reform policy has the potential to change the face of South African agriculture and the rural landscape. The ABC is consulting and negotiating opportunities for agribusinesses to play a more dominant role, together with government and other role players, in ensuring successful land reform and creating successful commercial black farmers through so-called Post Settlement Support (PSS), and has achieved considerable success in this regard already.
African markets
Agribusinesses are increasingly playing a key role within international markets as most African economies are still based on mining and agricultural activities. The ABC's input within this focus area is aimed at promoting trade through good relations and fair trade agreements between South Africa and African countries. As Sector Head for the NEPAD Business Foundation, the ABC plays a critical role in engaging with African governments to grow agriculture investment and development on our continent.
Economic intelligence
Economic aspects and mobilisation of opportunities were and are also addressed on an on-going basis, with specific attention to the Electricity Crisis, Agro-logistics Strategy, Co-operatives Amendment Act, Petroleum Products Act, Companies Act, Land Bank Act, Competition Amendment Act, Consumer Protection Act (GM labelling issue), Expropriation Bill and the National Credit Act, amongst others.
Labour
Agribusinesses have a major responsibility in terms of labour, specifically in terms of training and development of workers, who are the associates of agribusiness. Within this context, it is also important to inform and empower people to address threats such as HIV/Aids.
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