FINANCE Minister Pravin Gordhan announced yesterday that government will increase its budget on transport, energy and communication.
Gordhan said these sectors would have their budget increased from R84 billion in 2012/13 to R98 billion in 2014/15, an annual average rise of 8.4%.
Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) was allocated R4 billion to begin purchasing new coaches. Prasa also received R1 billion to build depots and upgrade signaling in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and Western Cape.
In the energy sector, Gordhan said an additional R4.7 billion would be allocated to complete the installation of a million solar water geysers. Municipalities will receive R600-million to install low-energy lighting and equipment. He said that R300-million would be provided for the electrification of informal settlements.
Investment in municipal infrastructure and human settlements will grow from R120 billion in 2012/13 to R139 billion in 2014/15.
Gordhan proposed additional allocations of R9.9 billion over the medium term, including informal settlement upgrading, a waste water treatment plant in Sedibeng, bulk water systems in Sekhukhune and water systems in the OR Tambo district (Mthatha) in Eastern Cape.
The Department of Trade and Industry will receive R5.8 billion to improve manufacturing competitiveness and R2.3 billion for industrial development and special economic zones. Gordhan promised that there would be some tax relief for private sector companies which invest in the special economic zones.
An additional R1.9-billion will go to the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries to improve agricultural support services.
The Land Bank will receive R1 billion to conclude its recapitalization programme.
Boost for transport, energy sectors
FINANCE Minister Pravin Gordhan announced yesterday that government will increase its budget on transport, energy and communication.
Gordhan said these sectors would have their budget increased from R84 billion in 2012/13 to R98 billion in 2014/15, an annual average rise of 8.4%.
Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) was allocated R4 billion to begin purchasing new coaches. Prasa also received R1 billion to build depots and upgrade signaling in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and Western Cape.
In the energy sector, Gordhan said an additional R4.7 billion would be allocated to complete the installation of a million solar water geysers. Municipalities will receive R600-million to install low-energy lighting and equipment. He said that R300-million would be provided for the electrification of informal settlements.
Investment in municipal infrastructure and human settlements will grow from R120 billion in 2012/13 to R139 billion in 2014/15.
Gordhan proposed additional allocations of R9.9 billion over the medium term, including informal settlement upgrading, a waste water treatment plant in Sedibeng, bulk water systems in Sekhukhune and water systems in the OR Tambo district (Mthatha) in Eastern Cape.
The Department of Trade and Industry will receive R5.8 billion to improve manufacturing competitiveness and R2.3 billion for industrial development and special economic zones. Gordhan promised that there would be some tax relief for private sector companies which invest in the special economic zones.
An additional R1.9-billion will go to the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries to improve agricultural support services.
The Land Bank will receive R1 billion to conclude its recapitalization programme.
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