New public-private partnerships centered on job creation: Ramaphosa

President Cyril Ramaphosa says government will ensure that new public-private partnerships are centered on job creation. Government plans to join forces with the private sector on a number of major projects including in energy, rail and port infrastructure.

Ramaphosa says this is important as the country works to build an inclusive economy that generates growth and employment. He was delivering a virtual keynote address during the Annual General Meeting of Business Unity SA on Wednesday.

President Ramaphosa says the government of national unity needs to deepen its partnership with business to build a conducive environment for investment, growth and job creation. He says government plans to join hands with the private sector to roll out several infrastructure projects.

“The second phase of our partnership with business requires a firm focus on the creation of jobs in our country and I do believe that as we implement this reform process and as we execute it begins to open the wave for investments to be infected in various sectors in our country and to get people to be employed and to put South Africa to work.”

Video: Business Unity SA AGM – President Cyril Ramaphosa address

Ramaphosa says South Africa needs to move with the new world order of advanced technologies. And through partnerships with the private sector, underserviced areas in the country can also benefit from new investments.

“We need to capitalize on that and improve that. We agree on the need to use the private sector capital to fund the growth of small businesses, particularly in underserviced areas like townships and the rural areas, and this is where we need more and more business to participate in the various processes.”

On measures to get South Africa off the grey list, Ramaphosa expressed satisfaction with the work done so far.