Trade and Industry Minister Rob Davies has published a draft amended broad based black economic empowerment code for the transport sector.

The draft transport code is one of the biggest sector codes‚ consisting of eight sub sector codes including aviation‚ bus commuter and coach services‚ forward and clearing‚ maritime‚ public sector‚ road freight‚ rail‚ and taxi services.

The draft codes include a target of 35% black ownership for the bus commuter and coach services sub-sector code‚ which is higher than the 25% ownership target of the generic codes.

Mr Davies has called for public comments on the draft codes before the closing date of June 8.

The minister said in a statement that one the key highlights of the draft amended code is the requirement for the measured entities in the aviation sector to achieve at least 10% representation of black pilots and 30% black technicians.

 “This is done to address the current limited representation of black people within pilots and technicians professions”‚ he said.

An indicator to measure representation of black youth in technical and professional positions has been introduced into the codes for the maritime and rail industries. The target is at least 10%.

“In order to encourage broad participation‚ the rail sub-sector code has set an ownership target of 15% for the involvement of new black entrants ... black participants who have not held equity instruments in other entities which have a total value of R50m”‚ Mr Davies said.