Agbiz welcomes the National Treasury’s pragmatic budget at a crucial time of economic reconstruction. The Treasury utilised part of the commodity windfall to absorb the expenditure increases while remaining mindful not to commit to permanent spending in the social relief programmes funded by temporary commodity revenue increases; such an approach would require a sustainable financing model. “This is important as the South African economy could grow at a slower pace of 2,1% in 2022 and by 1,8% in the next three years. This is not the kind of growth that can respond emphatically to the country’s socio-economic challenges,” says Agbiz CEO Theo Boshoff.
Published: 23/02/2022
MoreAgbiz lauds the pragmatic approach of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s 2022 SONA and is ready to partner for inclusive growth and job creation. According to Agbiz chairperson, Francois Strydom, “The recognition that an enabling environment for business is critical for attracting investment and helping to solve the unemployment and low economic growth challenge in South Africa is significant. We have heard similar notions before, but the focus on energy security through embedded generation, investment in port infrastructure and the call for third-party operators on rail show that business’ concerns are being heard at the highest level. The agribusiness sector is ready and willing to partner with government to take these initiatives beyond rhetoric and translate it to action.”
Published: 11/02/2022
MoreAgbiz is delighted to announce that Annelize Crosby will be joining the Agbiz team from February 2022 as the head of legal intelligence. “Annelize is well respected within the broader agribusiness community and we are excited to have her on board. I have no doubt that she will fit in seamlessly within the Agbiz team.” This is according to Agbiz CEO, Dr John Purchase. Annelize previously served as the legal and parliamentary liaison consultant for Agri SA and currently heads up Agri SA’s Land Centre of Excellence.
Published: 27/11/2021
MorePublished: 11/11/2021
More“Following a rigorous and comprehensive recruitment process, Agbiz has the pleasure to announce that Mr Theo Boshoff, currently head of Legal Intelligence within Agbiz, has been designated to take over the reins as CEO of Agbiz as from 1 January 2022. The current incumbent, Dr John Purchase, retires at the end of December 2021 after more than 14 years of service to Agbiz, ” Mr Francois Strydom, chairman of Agbiz, said today.
Published: 18/08/2021
MoreEarlier today at the Agbiz annual general meeting that was hosted virtually, the Agbiz leadership team was re-elected unanimously. The position of chairperson was uncontested and Mr Francois Strydom of Senwes, will lead the leadership corps for another term. Mr Sean Walsh of Kaap Agri, was re-elected as first deputy chairperson and Dr Langa Simela of Absa as second deputy chairperson.
Published: 30/04/2021
MoreFriday, 19 March
2021, the Agricultural Business Chamber of South Africa (Agbiz), together with
government – represented by the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (dtic)
– and also industry role players such as Agri SA, the African Farmers’ Association
of South Africa (AFASA), the Bureau for
Food and Agricultural Policy (BFAP) and National African Farmers’ Union (NAFU), amongst
others, met to discuss South Africa-BRICS agricultural trade matters.
Published: 23/03/2021
More“In the most challenging budget for South Africa since the advent of democracy in 1994, Minister Tito Mboweni and his team have, within major constraints, provided the most reasonable balance in stimulating economic growth and consolidating the fiscal framework. With the previous national budget of February 2020, South Africa was already in an unenviable and constrained position of endemic low economic growth, constrained tax revenue and higher unemployment,” Dr John Purchase, CEO of Agbiz, said today. - Agbiz media statement issued on 24 February 2021
Published: 24/02/2021
More“Agbiz is alarmed at the high incidence of crime in South Africa, and in particular crime in the rural communities where food producers and many of our agribusinesses are operating,” says Agbiz CEO Dr John Purchase. “We strongly reject and condemn all forms of violence and criminality in all of our communities. Crime in the rural areas leaves the whole farming community vulnerable, and it not only affects farmers, but also farmworkers and their families." - Agbiz media statement issued on 8 October 2020
Published: 08/10/2020
MoreThe Agricultural Business Chamber (Agbiz) strongly welcomes the announcement by President Cyril Ramaphosa over the weekend to move from alert level 3 to alert level 2 and to open up the economy as far as possible, within obvious measures to curb the spread of Covid-19. “The lifting of the ban on alcohol and tobacco sales is very good news and we commend the government for this necessary and well-considered decision,” says Agbiz CEO Dr John Purchase. - Agbiz media statement issued on 21 August 2020
Published: 21/08/2020
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