Chairperson, the Pebble Bed Modular Reactor, PBMR, business model is in the process of being revised in light of the current global economic conditions and also because of the pressures placed on the fiscus. It is expected that this will be finalised during the course of this year.
There is consensus though that the highly specialised and sought after human resources and intellectual property that have been developed within the Pebble Bed Modular Reactor, PBMR, are of significant value to the country and it must be retained. This is especially important in light of the country's intended future pressurised water reactor nuclear procurement and the build programme. The capacity developed in terms of human resources in the PBMR can undoubtedly be leveraged to fast-track and reduce the risk of nuclear build and localisation.
In response to the second question, as directed by Cabinet at the end of 2008, a government task team is working on the framework for the procurement of a fleet of nuclear reactors through strategic partnership and the associated localisation of the advanced manufacturing of the components as well as the implications in terms of government's policy. This work is well underway, and we should be able to provide some clarity on the outcome of the work by the end of the year, as promised, and map the way forward.