Industrial Policy - Still banking on smelting
Megaprojects once again get a big share of the trade & industry department's budget, with large amounts of money going to its Industrial Development Zone (IDZ) programme.
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Tourism Sector - Needs a good shove
UPDATETrade & industry minister Mandisi Mpahlwa - after years of trying, and amid strong resistance most noticeably from finance minister Trevor Manuel - finally managed to secure some funding for industrial policy incentives.
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Exchange control - Still very much in control
Usually, immediately after the budget speech, there is a vocal lobby for the immediate scrapping of exchange controls. This time around there were no signs of government's so-called "gradual" abolition, but the usual critics were silent.
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Expanded Public Works Programme - For as many as possible
The second phase of the Expanded Public Works Programme comes close to, but does not quite fit, the definition of "decent" jobs as contemplated in the ANC manifesto.
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Telecommunications - Sending the right signals
Spending on technology and communications systems is a high priority in this year's budget, with billions of rand allocated for investment in technology infrastructure ahead of the 2010 World Cup and for new systems for the police service and home affairs.
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Small Business - Relief for the little guy
Small business owners can breathe a little easier. After years of complaining about the low revenue threshold at which they have to start paying Vat, finance minister Trevor Manuel has finally relented, lifting the threshold from R300 000 to R1m.
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Skills - More bang for its buck
Efficiency, not just more funding, will be the thrust of government's efforts to improve SA's skills base this year.
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Empowerment - Don't expect any bailouts
Black entrepreneurs navigating the empowerment space may be forgiven for believing that, in this time of economic crisis and a dearth of capital, they are on their own.
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