The Minister of Transport, Joe Maswanganyi together with the Deputy Minister of Transport, Sindisiwe Chikunga officially launched the Comprehensive Maritime Transport Policy (CMTP) on Thursday, at the Elangeni Hotel in Durban.
According to the Department of Transport, the CMTP, which was approved by cabinet on 10th May 2017, is the embodiment of government’s commitment to the growth, development and transformation of South Africa’s maritime transport sector.
“The CMTP represents South Africa’s medium to long-term vision, the underpinning philosophy and principles that inform maritime development and the direction that government together with industry will be taking for the sector to reach its full potential,” said the department in a statement.
Maswanganyi noted at the media briefing, which was held at the Port of Durban, to accommodate the inspection of progress on some ‘Operation Phakisa deliverables, the importance of the maritime sector to South Africa.
He said, “The oceans economy contributes more than R177 billion to the gross domestic product of South Africa. Its size makes it a valuable sector for the South African economy.”
According to the department, the implementation of the policy will impact positively on the desire to grow and transform the industry including the implementation of some of the key ‘Operation Phakisa’ initiatives in the oceans economy deliverables dependent on the CMTP.
“We want to see more women involved in ‘Operation Phakisa,” said Maswanganyi. “We also want to see local communities involved in oceans economy.”
The CMTP is the response to the National Development Plan on its invitation to the maritime sector to reapprais itself in light of its geopolitical positioning and its contribution particularly in creating a conducive environment for job creation and promotion of regional trade.
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