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Purpose & Objectives Of The EGS Forum Steering Committee |
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Purpose of the EGS Forum
The EGS Forum’s main purpose is to unite South African suppliers of environmental services and goods in one body. Members would identify their priority needs, create appropriate enabling structures and take action that will increase business opportunities, trade, skills, knowledge and jobs in the South African environmental sector. In the ongoing course of achieving this purpose the EGS Forum Steering Committee will act on behalf of its members when engaging government and/or other possible customers and partners.
Objectives of the EGS Forum Steering Committee
The EGS Forum Steering Committee on behalf of the EGS Forum would pursue the following objectives but would not be limited to:
5.1. Formulate an agreed EGS Sector Strategy and Action Plan. Obtain Department of Trade and Industry (the dti) endorsement and support.
5.1.1. Develop specific sub-sector support programmes that focus on niche products with competitiveness potential thus utilising limited resources in a targeted way. Link suppliers of specific environmental goods with specific services to ensure targeted support where growth is possible.
5.1.2. Formulate and roll out a targeted marketing strategy, including building close relations with key trade associations and other bodies that could promote trade.
5.1.2.1. Package EGS offerings to provide complete solutions to specific challenges.
5.1.2.2. Create a directory of local suppliers of goods and services within each sub-sector.
5.1.3. Develop EGS industry statistical data.
5.1.3.1. Establish a baseline. Keep track of the industry’s size, strengths and weaknesses and track industry and sub-sector growth trends.
5.1.3.2. Conduct specialist data interpretation to indicate areas for the development of crucial technical skills for EGS.
5.1.4. Investment promotion: The need for South Africa to develop and supply more of its own environmental technologies calls for more government and investor attention.
5.2. Collaborate with programme managers at the dti and other government bodies, stakeholders and customers.
5.3. Represent the EGS industry and act as its recognised channel of communication.
5.4. Invest in further research in order to find creative solutions for growing the EGS sector.
5.5. Establish basic institutional arrangements:
5.5.1. Sector knowledge team within the dti. The team should focus on understanding the needs of the South African environmental sector and the issues that affect it. Provide an effective channel of communication between the sector and government, which would contribute to developing a favourable policy framework for the Environmental Industries.
5.5.2. Climate Change Office within the dti. Formulate and roll out an Industrial Climate Change Response Strategy. Establish a mutually beneficiary partnership with relevant structures, such as the Designated National Authority (DNA), the CDM Industry Association (CDMIA) and the designated operational entity (DOE). |
