Govt, business partner to improve SA’s economic output

In a recent interview on CNBC Africa, Cas Coovadia, the CEO of Business Unity South Africa (BUSA), discussed the significant progress that has been made in the partnership between the government and the private sector to address key economic issues in South Africa. Coovadia highlighted the positive strides that have been taken since the inception of the collaboration last year, emphasizing the importance of working together to drive economic growth and job creation. The partnership, which has mobilized over R170 million and brought together hundreds of technical experts, aims to tackle critical areas such as energy, logistics, and crime and corruption. Coovadia noted that while there is still work to be done, the collaboration has already shown promising results in areas such as energy policy and infrastructure development. One of the key elements of the partnership is the regular meetings between business leaders and government officials, including the President and key ministers. These meetings provide a forum for open and frank discussions on the challenges facing the economy and allow for collaborative problem-solving. Coovadia highlighted the proactive approach taken by both parties in identifying and addressing bottlenecks in various sectors. Coovadia also addressed concerns about the longevity of the partnership, emphasizing that the focus remains on achieving specific goals within a set timeframe. He underscored the importance of not diluting the efforts by expanding the scope of the collaboration beyond its current objectives. Instead, the aim is to build capacity within the government to sustain and institutionalize the progress made through the partnership. Looking ahead, Coovadia expressed optimism about the potential for the partnership to evolve into a more permanent structure for cooperation on future initiatives. He emphasized the role of Business for South Africa (B4SA) as a platform for ongoing partnerships between the private sector and the government in addressing national priorities. Overall, the interview highlighted the positive impact of the government-business collaboration on South Africa's economic landscape and underscored the importance of continued cooperation to drive sustainable growth and development in the country.