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PRESS RELEASE: The Manufacturing Competitiveness Enhancement Programme (MCEP) was designed as an instrument to support enterprises in the production sectors of the economy soon after the onset of the global economic recession to weather very adverse market conditions, secure higher levels of investment, raise competitiveness and retain employment. It consisted of the Production Incentive which is administered by IDAD and the Industrial Financing loan facility administered by the IDC. The Production Incentive was temporarily suspended in October 2015.
MCEP supported 1153 entities to the value of R7,2 billion with acquisition of capital equipment and reengineering of business processes to improve their competitiveness under the Production Incentive, of which R4,1 billion has already been disbursed. The programme leveraged approximately R30,8 billion in private sector investment and retained over 200 000 jobs across all priority sectors.
The Industrial financing loan facility which is administered by IDC, approved working capital loans to the value of R988 million of which 78 % has been disbursed. A total of 1 553 jobs have been saved and 7 933 jobs have been created through this facility.
The current reflows of the industrial financing loan facility allows for a re-opening of another window for pre and post-dispatch working capital loans, limited to R50 million for each qualifying manufacturers at a fixed rate of 4 % per annum. In addition, the facility will provide funding of up to R50 million for plant and equipment to all qualifying start-up and existing Black Industrialists businesses at the same rate which is payable over a period of 84 months.
Entities can access the programme online at http://www.investmentincentives.co.za/mcep through the IDC website.
the dti is continuing discussions with National Treasury for additional investment support for the manufacturing sector.
Enquiries:
Sidwell Medupe-Departmental Spokesperson
Tel: (012) 394 1650
Mobile: 079 492 1774
E-mail: MSMedupe@thedti.gov.za
Issued by: The Department of Trade and Industry
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