Chairperson, thank you hon Minister for your lengthy response.
We, as the ACDP, share the view that the stimulus package, particularly, the infrastructure programme, has undoubtedly provided the cushion for our economy enabling the construction sector to sustain double digit growth rates over the last three recessionary quarters, and creating jobs, as you have pointed out.
However, the main engines of our economy - as the Minister of Labour has mentioned - are mining and manufacturing, and that is where we have severe job losses. Hon Minister, whilst we appreciate that hindsight is perfect vision, would the infrastructure plan not have provided more of a boost to domestic manufacturing if it wasn't so import intensive?
Secondly, is it not the central reason why South Africa's fiscal stimulus, whilst very important, had a limited impact, and not the fact that private sector investment - which accounts for 76 per cent of net fixed investment, as well as domestic consumption and bank lending - slowed to a crawl?
Lastly, what further progress has been made regarding the implementation of the Framework Agreement which you announced on 20 August 2009 in addition to what the Minister of Labour has pointed out? We will appreciate a short briefing on that, and we realise that time is very limited. Thank you.