Thank you, Chair.
Die problem is egter dat, ten spyte van die Ipap, industrialisasie steeds aggresief plaasvind. Hoewel daar verskeie negatiewe faktore is wat van buite die landsgrense die ekonomie benvloed, daar wel faktore is wat binne die land se beheer is. (Translation of Afrikaans paragraph follows.)
[However, the problem is that, in spite of Ipap, industrialisation is still happening aggressively. Although there are several negative factors that are impacting on the country's economy from outside its borders, there are indeed factors that are within the country's control.]
Let us make some suggestions, Minister, to kick-start the economy with this budget.
Firstly, entrepreneurs and businesspeople detest red tape. In light of this, we request the Minister to drop the Business Licensing Bill or only to allow licensing for those businesses that deserve regulation for the public good, such as those in the food industry.
The parliamentary portfolio committee has accepted the proposal of the FF Plus, as contained in the budget report, which requires any policy by the department to be supported by research to be submitted to the committee for interrogation. This includes a regulatory impact assessment for every Bill and every regulation. This will strengthen the committee's oversight function. We trust the Minister will accept this request. This will reveal broad-based black economic empowerment, BBBEE, as an irrational policy that leads to rent-seeking and really strengthening the status quo by enriching a few individuals. We need a new policy that works and creates wealth.
Verder versoek ons die Minister om beter finansiering vir die Verbruikersraad en die aanstel van Afrikaanse en amptelike taalsprekers sodat almal in die land inklusief bedien kan word. (Translation of Afrikaans paragraph follows.)
[Furthermore, we call on the Minister to provide adequate funding to the Consumer Council and to appoint speakers of Afrikaans and other official languages in order to provide services in a more inclusive manner to everyone in the country.]
Lastly, we think that experimenting with economic programmes to test what truly works must be considered. In that respect, while it may seem counterintuitive to traditional ANC thinking, pockets of freedom zones should be created where strict interventionist policies like BBBEE and affirmative action are not applicable. Thereby one can gauge whether those pockets create more jobs than other areas.
Once we have proper research in place we can make proper decisions on what works at the end of the day. Thank you. [Time expired.]