The new ICT Sector Codes have been drafted and are now open for comment until the end of April.
Minister of Trade and Industry, Dr Rob Davies has invited members of the public to make inputs and comments on the Draft Amended Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Sector Code, gazetted in terms of Section 9 (5) of the Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) Act 53 of 2003 as amended by B-BBEE Act 46 of 2013.
The closing date for the 60-day commentary period is 29 April 2016.
Davies points out that the Draft Amended ICT Sector Code has unique features and deviations that are designed to address transformation peculiarities that exist in the sector.
“The key feature or highlight is that the Draft Amended ICT Sector Code set a Black ownership target of 30% to accelerate the pace of transformation in the sector. The target is higher than the 25% target of the Generic Codes,” says Davies.
He adds that Enterprise Development will benefit as the annual Net Profit After Tax target has increased. “Another unique feature of the Draft Amended ICT Sector Code is the high target of 3% of the annual Net Profit After Tax (NPAT) for Enterprise Development (higher than 1% of the annual Net Profit After Tax target for the Generic Codes). The 3% target will be utilised by measured entities for the development of black-owned ICT companies.”
According to Davies, the target for Socio Economic Development element has been set at 1,5% of the annual NPAT which is higher than the 1% of the annual NPAT of the Generic Codes.
“The aim is to bridge the digital divide by requiring that enterprises should undertake certain obligations in terms of access to ICT so as to improve the lives of the people. Such programmes could be in the form of providing ICT in education, health and programmes aimed at enhancing the lives of black communities.”
The government gazette can be accessed on the dti website via the link: http://www.thedti.gov.za/gazzettes/39758.pdf
