INTRODUCTION
Since 1994 the ANC-led government has placed our economy on an incredibly sound and healthy footing despite the general slowdown of the world economy.
Economic growth has occurred at a rate unprecedented in the history of the country. With low inflation, steady interest rates, strong consumer confidence and an increasingly diversified economy, prospects remain even more optimistic for the foreseeable future.
Effective communication between government and the business community has been a vital key to this success. This has traditionally been conducted at the formal level through entities like Nedlac and with organised business groups.
Now in order to better facilitate communication and to help achieve the government's target of 6% growth, the ANC has formed its own business group, the Progressive Business Forum (PBF). This forum has as its primary objective an ongoing two way dialogue between the ANC and the business community.
Membership is open to all reputable business entities and we invite you to join this positive group of individuals.
BENEFITS TO MEMBERS
Sustained economic growth and prosperity requires ongoing dialogue between the business community and the country's policymakers. The Progressive Business Forum (PBF) provides you with the opportunity to contribute to that dialogue by sharing your aspirations and concerns.
As a member you will be part of an informal mechanism for frank and open discussion between the business community and ANC government leaders.
- In recognition of your subscription you will be invited to events organised specifically for the Progressive Business Forum.
- The events will be structured in a way that maximises honest and meaningful two-way discussion.
- PBF membership will provide you with an effective platform to get a clearer understanding of government policy as it affects you, and an opportunity for you to express your views and explain the impact of government policy on your business.
- You will also receive information bulletins and documents from our policy team on a regular basis.
A YEAR OF GROWTH AND PROGRESS
Since the PBF was launched in February 2006 in Gauteng and August 2006 in Cape Town, it has been a great success. The events that have been arranged by or have had PBF involvement have been of a consistently high standard and have received positive responses from members and paying non-member guests. These included speeches by Deputy Ministers Jabu Moleketi, Rob Davies, Gert Oosthuizen (in Gauteng and Cape Town) and Minister Thoko Didiza at the Malibongwe function.
Speeches at these events were sent to members and are available online (see below). Members received 3 newsletters in 2006 as well as the first edition of PBF Dialogue, a printed newsletter about the activities of the forum and important policy issues. As an additional service, PBF They have also received the weekly ANC Today online journal, which includes the popular 'Letter from the President'.
The PBF Members' Help Desk has been up and running since August 2006 under the management of an experienced former City Councillor and Deputy Mayor, Abré Hanekom, who is providing useful advice to members. The PBF Growth Assist concept included a successful workshop for Gauteng members held in November on the topic "Aids in the Workplace".
All of the PBF's activities during the course of its first year fit in very well with the ANC's clear commitment to dialogue and communication with all sectors of our society, and very importantly with the business community, which plays such a key role in creating a better life for all who live in South Africa.
CAN YOU AFFORD NOT TO BELONG?
For information on how to join the Progressive Business Forum, send your details to the following address:  . You will be contacted by one of our friendly consultants.
PBF BRIEFING DOCUMENTS
- Politics Today: No 1, 2007 [HTML] [PDF]
SPEECHES AT PBF EVENTS
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