Page 516 - Provincial Treasury Estimates.pdf

Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism
In support of sustainable environmental management and sustainable economic development the
department will strive to process all environmental-related applications within legislated timeframes. The
department under biodiversity programme intends to issue more than 80 per cent of Threatened or
Protected Species (TOPS) permits in 2023/24.
Environmental awareness and capacity building activities will continue to play an important role in
educating the public on environmental issues. As such, the department will conduct a total of
24 environmental awareness and 24 capacity building activities throughout the province. There are also
plans to create approximately 405 work opportunities through environmental programmes.

4.. Reprioritisation

The department undertook extensive reprioritisation over the 2023 MTEF, largely for implementation of
the department’s 4 priority projects for development and implementation. These projects represent and
opportunity to create synergy and integration among different role players namely Township and rural
economy, Climate change programme, Support to the Provincial Investment and Trade initiatives, and
lastly Revitalisation of industrial parks. The projects will be contextualised with SMMEs focusing on red
tape reduction, funding instruments and shared services, amongst others being supported.

The department will continue to administer a set of programmes that are targeting micro, small and medium
enterprises and ensure that small businesses and co-operatives owned by individuals from historically
disadvantaged communities including Women, Youth and Persons with disabilities actively participating.
Furthermore, funds were reprioritised from Compensation of employees to Goods and services in order to
prioritise service delivery. The service delivery projects as outlined in the departmental Annual
Performance Plan will be continued with in 2023/24 and savings realised by the department will be used
to augment any shortage to stimulate economic growth and service delivery in the core programmes.
In budgeting, the cost containment measures and other cost cutting practice notes and circulars were
implemented in particular to the non-core items. Furthermore, the department has effected reprioritisation
in order to fund the departmental priorities. Base line reductions were implemented across the group.
Financial Management with the assistance of the Accounting Officer will continue to play an active role in
ensuring that programmes are spent as projected and that the budget pressures are addressed. Therefore,
the monitoring and oversight will continue over the 2023 MTEF.

5.. Procurement

The department’s procurement will be aligned to the department procurement plans and the Supply Chain
Management (SCM) policy to be implemented. The procurement and contract management still remain a
target and the department will robustly look at this area in its quest to implement the cost containment
measures and realise efficiency gains. The department will continue to liaise with Provincial Treasury for
all matters relating to SCM for guidance. The department will continue to uphold the principles of
procurement by ensuring that all contracts are awarded in a manner that is fair, equitable, transparent,
competitive and cost effective. The department will continue to ensure that the procurement of goods and
services is done in a timely manner and will adhere to the provincial drive to support township economies
and meet the targets set for preferential procurement and further intensify the payment of suppliers within
30 days in line with Treasury Regulation 8.2.3. The department will continue to implement the LED Strategy
focusing on local procurement for almost all services on tenders so that bids will be awarded in a manner,
which is fair, equitable, transparent, competitive and cost effective.
Procurement of goods and services will be done in line within the requirement of PPPFA together with
departmental procurement policies. The department will ensure that all contracts are subjected to market-
price analysis and the concept of value for money is the core driver when negotiating contracts. However
some of the projects that would impact the procurement process are as follows:

499