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Government Calls on Business Community to Explore Blue Economy


NAIROBI, Kenya, Feb 22 - The business community has been encouraged to explore the available opportunities in Blue Economy, a sector where resources have not been fully exploited.

The Principal Secretary for Shipping and Maritime Affairs Shadrack Mwadime said the sector has opportunities in the cruise and carrier ships since 90 percent of transportation of goods takes place in the... waters.

Mwadime said countries where the economy has expanded through the exploitation of resources were able to develop fast, and urged businesses investing in real estate to seize the opportunity existing in the maritime industry.

"As a country we can exploit the shipping industry to address wealth creation and the unemployment rate which is so high by creating employment for the youth who constitute 75 percent of our population," said Mwadime.

The PS made the remarks when he received the Managing Director of CMA CGM Company Jean Baptiste Longin who had paid him a courtesy call at his office at NSSF building.

The beneficiaries of the training included five Deck Cadets namely Amina Mwaurinda, Linda Wagumbe, Mwijaka Maalim, Said Mohammed and Damaris Mwangi and Earnest Gachangu an Engine Cadet.

PS Mwadime thanked the company for supporting and developing the human resource capacity in the maritime sector by establishing linkages with industry players to enhance placement and advancement of graduates of Bandari Maritime Authority and providing them with the required sea time experience.

Mwadime at the same time urged the company to consider employing graduates from Kenya and to increase the number of the graduates they train to 25 to allow more to be absorbed in the sector.

He announced that this year, the country will pick at least 12 of the very best from Bandari Maritime Academy for the same training.

"We are also appealing to other shipping companies to emulate what CMA CGM has done and give sea time experience and subsequent employment to our graduates as we continue to provide highly skilled labour to the market," said the PS.

He at the same time urged shipping companies to absorb graduates from the local training institutions among them Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Technical University of Kenya and all Technical, Vocational, Education and Training colleges and institutions providing training maritime courses.

The PS said if more companies venture into the sector it will increase opportunities for the country's seafarers to work in all parts of the world, and appealed to international shipping companies to employ Kenyan graduates.

"We are pursuing partnerships with other International bodies like the World Maritime University and the Danish Ship Owners Association to offer scholarships to graduates to pursue advanced courses," said Mwadime.

He assured that the State Department of Shipping and Maritime Affairs will continue to cooperate with various stakeholders to harness the potential of the maritime sector, through developing policies and human resource capacity to encourage job opportunities which will benefit the economy.

The PS also called upon graduates to maintain a high standard of discipline, professionalism and integrity once on board, as well as avoid activities or conduct that would taint the image of the country and compromise the job market for placement and advancement of future graduates in the sector.

Mwadime said the government has plans of converting the Bandari Maritime Academy to a centre of excellence in the region.

"We have requested the National Treasury to give us funds to expand the academy in our five year plan so that it can absorb more students. Once resources are set aside, it will come in tranches in the next 5 years," said the PS adding that the government has already recruited 14 lecturers and will add 26 more.

He said the government also has plans to revamp the Kenya National Shipping Line to enable it raise revenue, of which the money raised can also be used to procure ships.

In his remarks, Mr. Jean Baptiste Longin said the company will continue to support, motivate and send more Kenyans abroad for training on vessels.

He said the six cadets they have trained abroad did a great job where they were attached describing it t a success to the management of the company.

"The six cadets have brought a lot of satisfaction, they have raised the Kenyan flag and made the country proud," said Longin.

The State Department of Shipping and Maritime Affairs is mandated with the responsibility of promoting maritime and shipping industry and maritime transport management, as well as promoting and facilitating placement of Kenyans in the global maritime market among others.
 
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Kericho administration to support agriculture for jobless youths


BURETI, Kenya, Jan 14 - The County government of Kericho is working on modalities to support local jobless youth with capital to venture into agribusiness enterprises.

The county governor Dr. Eric Mutai said that the region is endowed with great agribusiness potential, hence bringing the youths on board would increase small holder production.

Consequently, this would have a ripple effect on... household incomes, now that unemployment remains a serious challenge countrywide.

"We know there is a huge problem of unemployment in our county and Kenya at large. The only way to go is through agriculture. I propose we give some of our unemployed youths capital to do agribusiness and bring about the much anticipated economic growth in the county," said Dr. Mutai.

Addressing residents during the opening of the Kericho County Agricultural exhibition held at Chelilis Primary School Thursday, the governor said agriculture is the key to unlocking the local economic growth.

"As a county government, in order to change the economy of our people, we must work on some budget for agriculture and trade, because these are the key departments that can turn around the lives of our people," he said.

The governor also identified horticulture, pyrethrum and coffee as potential agribusiness ventures, adding that youths will be supported with capital and markets for their agricultural products.

"We will support our youths with capital so that we put them into groups to do cultivation of F1 tomatoes, Hass avocados, pyrethrum as well as coffee, and we also look for markets for them. This will turn around the lives of our youths and their families. We shall create people who are self-employed in agriculture," he said.

Meanwhile, the county government has so far distributed tea, pyrethrum and coffee seedlings to over 2,000 farmers in the area, amid plans to incorporate more farmers.

"We have distributed 500 tea seedlings to 60 households, in Londiani sub-county, while some other farmers have also benefited from pyrethrum and coffee seedlings," he said.

During the occasion, more than 20 exhibitors showcased their best, with the event bringing together farmers, stakeholders, agricultural promoters and various non-governmental organizations in the sector across the county.

The two-day exhibition themed, Promoting Technologies, Innovations and Market Linkages in Agricultural Sector was organized by the county government of Kericho in conjunction with other key stakeholders in the county agricultural sector.
 
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2   

Kericho administration to support agriculture for jobless youths


BURETI, Kenya, Jan 14 - The County government of Kericho is working on modalities to support local jobless youth with capital to venture into agribusiness enterprises.

The county governor Dr. Eric Mutai said that the region is endowed with great agribusiness potential, hence bringing the youths on board would increase small holder production.

Consequently, this would have a ripple effect on... household incomes, now that unemployment remains a serious challenge countrywide.

"We know there is a huge problem of unemployment in our county and Kenya at large. The only way to go is through agriculture. I propose we give some of our unemployed youths capital to do agribusiness and bring about the much anticipated economic growth in the county," said Dr. Mutai.

Addressing residents during the opening of the Kericho County Agricultural exhibition held at Chelilis Primary School Thursday, the governor said agriculture is the key to unlocking the local economic growth.

"As a county government, in order to change the economy of our people, we must work on some budget for agriculture and trade, because these are the key departments that can turn around the lives of our people," he said.

The governor also identified horticulture, pyrethrum and coffee as potential agribusiness ventures, adding that youths will be supported with capital and markets for their agricultural products.

"We will support our youths with capital so that we put them into groups to do cultivation of F1 tomatoes, Hass avocados, pyrethrum as well as coffee, and we also look for markets for them. This will turn around the lives of our youths and their families. We shall create people who are self-employed in agriculture," he said.

Meanwhile, the county government has so far distributed tea, pyrethrum and coffee seedlings to over 2,000 farmers in the area, amid plans to incorporate more farmers.

"We have distributed 500 tea seedlings to 60 households, in Londiani sub-county, while some other farmers have also benefited from pyrethrum and coffee seedlings," he said.

During the occasion, more than 20 exhibitors showcased their best, with the event bringing together farmers, stakeholders, agricultural promoters and various non-governmental organizations in the sector across the county.

The two-day exhibition themed, Promoting Technologies, Innovations and Market Linkages in Agricultural Sector was organized by the county government of Kericho in conjunction with other key stakeholders in the county agricultural sector.
 
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Arrests of individuals allegedly linked to State Capture welcomed - Cabinet


4. Kenya State Visit

4.1. Cabinet welcomed the successful State Visit to Kenya by President Cyril Ramaphosa, at the invitation of his Kenyan counterpart, Dr William Ruto.

4.2. The visit included a Business Forum focusing on trade and investment between Kenya and South Africa. The visit also resulted in the signing of instruments on cooperation in correctional services, human settlements,... audio-visual co-production, and on building the capacity of the State with the National School of Government.

4.3. The two leaders discussed multilateral, economic, regional and continental issues. Kenya is South Africa's largest trading partner outside the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region, making South Africa the biggest seller of goods to Kenya on the continent. South Africa exported over R6-billion worth of goods to Kenya in 2021.

5. Severe weather conditions

5.1. Cabinet called on the public to exercise caution during unfavourable weather conditions, particularly thunderstorms. Government and the South African Weather Service will continue to provide information on severe weather based on current observations and predictions.

5.2. People are advised not to walk, swim or drive through fast-moving flood water. Do not try to cross a flooded area because you could be swept away by the strong currents. Always ensure that your children are safe and they are able to travel safely. -->

6. Group of Twenty (G20) Leaders' Summit

6.1.President Ramaphosa participated in the 17th G20 Leaders' Summit held in Bali in the Republic of Indonesia from 15 to 16 November 2022, which brought together world leaders in a collective effort to find solutions to a wide range of global challenges. The envisaged solutions include increasing multilateral cooperation for the recovery of the global economy, to bring stability to the global financial system, to promote long-term sustainable growth and to strengthen global economic governance.

6.2. The theme of the summit held under the G20 Presidency of Indonesia was: "Recover Together, Recover Stronger".

6.3. As part of our nation's engagement, President Ramaphosa participated in the working sessions on health, food and energy security as well as held several bilateral meetings with key trade partners.

6.4. Cabinet welcomed the deliberations at the summit, which underpin our own national priorities of reducing poverty, unemployment and inequality. -->

7. Skills Development and Training

7.1. Cabinet welcomed the official launch of a 4IR micro-laboratory at the Goldfields Technical and Vocational Education and Training College in Welkom, Free State on Thursday, 10 November 2022. This contributes towards skills development, innovation and entrepreneurship, as the country can provide new, better and faster solutions to our challenges of poverty, inequality and unemployment.

B. Cabinet decisions

1. Biannual performance reports

1.1.Cabinet approved the biannual performance progress reports for the period 1 April 2022 to 30 September 2022. In addition to capturing the biannual performance progress, the reports also provide a mid-term review of the priorities of the 2019-2024 Medium Term Strategic Framework.

1.2. The reports are compiled according to the five clusters namely (i) Justice, Crime Prevention and Security; (ii) Economic Sectors, Investment, Employment and Infrastructure Development; (iii) Social Protection, Community and Human Development; (iv) Governance, State Capacity and Institutional Development, and (v) International Cooperation, Trade and Security.

1.3. The reports provide an analysis of the key indicators of the seven adopted priorities of government using data collected from the departmental reports, statistics from Statistics South Africa and reports from the academia. The information is analysed against the National Development Plan: Vision 2030.

1.4. Cabinet appreciated the remarkable progress reported in some areas that showed performance that exceeded the set-out targets. However, it expressed concern at the slow progress reflected in some of the reports. Cabinet approved the proposed interventions to be implemented to fast-track areas that showed a slow progress.

1.5. The Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation will soon convene a roundtable discussion with the media to unpack these reports.

2. Policy measures to restrict trade in scrap metal to limit damage to public infrastructure and the economy

2.1 Cabinet considered and approved the comprehensive package of measures to address the damage to public infrastructure and the economy by restricting trade of waste scrap and semi processed metals.

2.2 This follows the gazetting on 5 August 2022 for public comment of the "Draft Policy Proposals on Measures to Restrict and Regulate Trade in Ferrous and Non-Ferrous Metals Waste, Scrap and Semi-Finished Ferrous and Non-Ferrous Metal Products to Limit Damage to Infrastructure and the Economy", by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Competition; and consideration of the extensive public comments received.

2.3 Details of the measures to be implemented will now be processed for publication in the Government Gazette by the relevant Ministries and a detailed media release containing details of the measures will be released by the GCIS as soon as the necessary legal work has been finalised.

2.4 South Africa will also engage with the SADC, African Union and the Southern African Customs Union to ensure a coordinated approach to fight this crime collectively as a region.

C. Upcoming event

1. Sustainable Infrastructure Development Symposium South Africa (SIDSSA)

1.1. Infrastructure South Africa, in partnership with GIZ, a German development agency, will host its third SIDSSA in Cape Town Century City from 28 to 30 November 2022. This year's symposium will focus on green hydrogen as an important growth sector in the country's investment strategy.

1.2. The symposium will bring together decision-makers, financial institutions, academics and international authorities. The event will afford the country the opportunity to showcase some of the large and low-cost world-class green hydrogen production hubs.

1.3. The demand for green hydrogen-based products such as ammonia and synthetic jet fuels is rising. The Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) in South Africa has been researching green hydrogen with a focus on green mobility and the use of platinum group metals.

1.4. Cabinet approved the Hydrogen Society Roadmap earlier this year. The roadmap is one of government's strategies and policy direction aimed at bringing together a variety of public and private stakeholders and institutions around a common vision on how to use and deploy hydrogen and hydrogen-related technologies, as part of the country's economic development and greening objectives.

1.5. In South Africa, hydrogen is extensively used in the chemical and fuel-refining sectors, but it is currently produced mainly from non-renewable sources such as coal and natural gas.

D. Appointments

All appointments are subject to the verification of qualifications and security clearance.

1. Ms Phindile Baleni as Director-General (DG) in The Presidency and Cabinet Secretary (Contract extended by five-years).

2. Dr Philemon Mphathi Mjwara as DG at the DSI (Contract extended by one year).

3. Cabinet concurred with the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition with the following appointments

4. Board of the South African Bureau of Standards:

a. Dr Sandile Bethuel Malinga (Chairperson);

b. Mr Tumisang Tsehlo;

c. Dr Rudzani Nemutudi

d. Ms Deidré Penfold.

e. Dr Nandipha Madiba

f. Ms Gloria Mnguni

g. Dr Ron Josias and

h. Dr Mukondeleli Grace Kanakana-Katumba

5. Board of the Companies Tribunal

a. Judge Dennis Davis (Chairperson)

b. Ms Minah Tong-Mongalo (Deputy Chairperson)

c. Ms Daiane Terblanche

d. Ms Hlaleleni Kathleen Dlepu

e. Prof. Clement Marumoagae

f. Mr Joshua Sesha Kadish

g. Mr Richard Bradstreet.

h. Mr Fulufhedzani Shane Mudzunga

i. Ms Nomagcisa Cawe

j. Mr Brian Jennings and

k. Dr Alli Chicktay

6. Dr Mashilo Boloka: Interim Chief Executive Officer of the Film and Publication Board.

Appointed to the six member Board of the International Association of Internet Hotline (INHOPE). INHOPE is a global body set up in 1996 in the Netherland to protect Children Against Sexual Abuse Material.
 
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Arrests of individuals allegedly linked to State Capture welcomed - Cabinet


4. Kenya State Visit

4.1. Cabinet welcomed the successful State Visit to Kenya by President Cyril Ramaphosa, at the invitation of his Kenyan counterpart, Dr William Ruto.

4.2. The visit included a Business Forum focusing on trade and investment between Kenya and South Africa. The visit also resulted in the signing of instruments on cooperation in correctional services, human settlements,... audio-visual co-production, and on building the capacity of the State with the National School of Government.

4.3. The two leaders discussed multilateral, economic, regional and continental issues. Kenya is South Africa's largest trading partner outside the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region, making South Africa the biggest seller of goods to Kenya on the continent. South Africa exported over R6-billion worth of goods to Kenya in 2021.

5. Severe weather conditions

5.1. Cabinet called on the public to exercise caution during unfavourable weather conditions, particularly thunderstorms. Government and the South African Weather Service will continue to provide information on severe weather based on current observations and predictions.

5.2. People are advised not to walk, swim or drive through fast-moving flood water. Do not try to cross a flooded area because you could be swept away by the strong currents. Always ensure that your children are safe and they are able to travel safely. -->

6. Group of Twenty (G20) Leaders' Summit

6.1.President Ramaphosa participated in the 17th G20 Leaders' Summit held in Bali in the Republic of Indonesia from 15 to 16 November 2022, which brought together world leaders in a collective effort to find solutions to a wide range of global challenges. The envisaged solutions include increasing multilateral cooperation for the recovery of the global economy, to bring stability to the global financial system, to promote long-term sustainable growth and to strengthen global economic governance.

6.2. The theme of the summit held under the G20 Presidency of Indonesia was: "Recover Together, Recover Stronger".

6.3. As part of our nation's engagement, President Ramaphosa participated in the working sessions on health, food and energy security as well as held several bilateral meetings with key trade partners.

6.4. Cabinet welcomed the deliberations at the summit, which underpin our own national priorities of reducing poverty, unemployment and inequality. -->

7. Skills Development and Training

7.1. Cabinet welcomed the official launch of a 4IR micro-laboratory at the Goldfields Technical and Vocational Education and Training College in Welkom, Free State on Thursday, 10 November 2022. This contributes towards skills development, innovation and entrepreneurship, as the country can provide new, better and faster solutions to our challenges of poverty, inequality and unemployment.

B. Cabinet decisions

1. Biannual performance reports

1.1.Cabinet approved the biannual performance progress reports for the period 1 April 2022 to 30 September 2022. In addition to capturing the biannual performance progress, the reports also provide a mid-term review of the priorities of the 2019-2024 Medium Term Strategic Framework.

1.2. The reports are compiled according to the five clusters namely (i) Justice, Crime Prevention and Security; (ii) Economic Sectors, Investment, Employment and Infrastructure Development; (iii) Social Protection, Community and Human Development; (iv) Governance, State Capacity and Institutional Development, and (v) International Cooperation, Trade and Security.

1.3. The reports provide an analysis of the key indicators of the seven adopted priorities of government using data collected from the departmental reports, statistics from Statistics South Africa and reports from the academia. The information is analysed against the National Development Plan: Vision 2030.

1.4. Cabinet appreciated the remarkable progress reported in some areas that showed performance that exceeded the set-out targets. However, it expressed concern at the slow progress reflected in some of the reports. Cabinet approved the proposed interventions to be implemented to fast-track areas that showed a slow progress.

1.5. The Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation will soon convene a roundtable discussion with the media to unpack these reports.

2. Policy measures to restrict trade in scrap metal to limit damage to public infrastructure and the economy

2.1 Cabinet considered and approved the comprehensive package of measures to address the damage to public infrastructure and the economy by restricting trade of waste scrap and semi processed metals.

2.2 This follows the gazetting on 5 August 2022 for public comment of the "Draft Policy Proposals on Measures to Restrict and Regulate Trade in Ferrous and Non-Ferrous Metals Waste, Scrap and Semi-Finished Ferrous and Non-Ferrous Metal Products to Limit Damage to Infrastructure and the Economy", by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Competition; and consideration of the extensive public comments received.

2.3 Details of the measures to be implemented will now be processed for publication in the Government Gazette by the relevant Ministries and a detailed media release containing details of the measures will be released by the GCIS as soon as the necessary legal work has been finalised.

2.4 South Africa will also engage with the SADC, African Union and the Southern African Customs Union to ensure a coordinated approach to fight this crime collectively as a region.

C. Upcoming event

1. Sustainable Infrastructure Development Symposium South Africa (SIDSSA)

1.1. Infrastructure South Africa, in partnership with GIZ, a German development agency, will host its third SIDSSA in Cape Town Century City from 28 to 30 November 2022. This year's symposium will focus on green hydrogen as an important growth sector in the country's investment strategy.

1.2. The symposium will bring together decision-makers, financial institutions, academics and international authorities. The event will afford the country the opportunity to showcase some of the large and low-cost world-class green hydrogen production hubs.

1.3. The demand for green hydrogen-based products such as ammonia and synthetic jet fuels is rising. The Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) in South Africa has been researching green hydrogen with a focus on green mobility and the use of platinum group metals.

1.4. Cabinet approved the Hydrogen Society Roadmap earlier this year. The roadmap is one of government's strategies and policy direction aimed at bringing together a variety of public and private stakeholders and institutions around a common vision on how to use and deploy hydrogen and hydrogen-related technologies, as part of the country's economic development and greening objectives.

1.5. In South Africa, hydrogen is extensively used in the chemical and fuel-refining sectors, but it is currently produced mainly from non-renewable sources such as coal and natural gas.

D. Appointments

All appointments are subject to the verification of qualifications and security clearance.

1. Ms Phindile Baleni as Director-General (DG) in The Presidency and Cabinet Secretary (Contract extended by five-years).

2. Dr Philemon Mphathi Mjwara as DG at the DSI (Contract extended by one year).

3. Cabinet concurred with the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition with the following appointments

4. Board of the South African Bureau of Standards:

a. Dr Sandile Bethuel Malinga (Chairperson);

b. Mr Tumisang Tsehlo;

c. Dr Rudzani Nemutudi

d. Ms Deidré Penfold.

e. Dr Nandipha Madiba

f. Ms Gloria Mnguni

g. Dr Ron Josias and

h. Dr Mukondeleli Grace Kanakana-Katumba

5. Board of the Companies Tribunal

a. Judge Dennis Davis (Chairperson)

b. Ms Minah Tong-Mongalo (Deputy Chairperson)

c. Ms Daiane Terblanche

d. Ms Hlaleleni Kathleen Dlepu

e. Prof. Clement Marumoagae

f. Mr Joshua Sesha Kadish

g. Mr Richard Bradstreet.

h. Mr Fulufhedzani Shane Mudzunga

i. Ms Nomagcisa Cawe

j. Mr Brian Jennings and

k. Dr Alli Chicktay

6. Dr Mashilo Boloka: Interim Chief Executive Officer of the Film and Publication Board.

Appointed to the six member Board of the International Association of Internet Hotline (INHOPE). INHOPE is a global body set up in 1996 in the Netherland to protect Children Against Sexual Abuse Material.
 
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