One of the most significant challenges to the global economic recovery is the debt crisis that has taken hold of the European continent this year. In spite of aggressive fiscal and monetary policy responses to the crisis, pessimism abounds over the strength of the single-currency union and it is feared that the European economy may be pushed back into recession. While it is easy to be glum about the unfolding debt crisis, it is just as reasonable to be optimistic about Europe's current predicament. The crisis may in fact be a golden opportunity for the euro zone to rectify its structural imbalances and implement necessary fiscal reforms. If successful, Europe will emerge stronger and better for having survived the debt crisis. . . .
A guide to The American Chamber of Commerce Small Business Members in South Africa
AmCham recently changed its constitution to include sme`s with 10 or less employees. A Small Business Forum has been established to accommodate the needs of the small businesses. A booklet with AmChams current small business has been compiled which is showcased attached.
SCAM ALERT: LOGCAP Recruiting Scams by FLUOR LIMITED BRITISH AFGHAN
11 August 2010
There are once again reports that opportunists are targeting those who seek jobs overseas. The company FLUOR LIMITED BRITISH AFGHAN OPERATION is currently being used. While FLUOR is extensively involved in the Afghanistan Logistical Capability (LOGCAP) Programs for the US Military in Afghanistan, there is no such Fluor subsidiary.
Fluor is being proactive in disseminating a warning to potential applicants of fraudulent activity where the Fluor corporate name is being used.
A company, Innovative Services (the most prominent of several) is posturing itself as a recruitment agency for FLUOR. This 'company' is advertising that for $500 they will contact a FLUOR recruiter on your behalf and secure you a job.
It has been confirmed that this is a version of the Nigeria 419 Scam, and victims will definitely NOT receive an offer of employment with Fluor via this means. Fluor, in common with all Fortune 500 companies have well developed recruiting processes, and internet recruiting, bulk e-mail dumps and third party recruiters are definitely not used.
Please advise your companies personnel of the scam, and if persons do receive any work enquiries connected with the Fluor corporate name brand to immediately contact the Fluor Regional Security Manager on shaun.peter.turner@fluor.com
Provisional Taxes
14 July 2010
AUGUST PROVISIONAL TAX RETURNS – A SHOCK
WAVE ABOUT TO HAPPEN
The hype now appears to be in full swing
for the submission of the annual income tax returns for the 2010 tax year.With fervor also still running high over the
world cup events it is not surprising that attention might be diverted from the
first of the provisional tax returns, due by August 31,for the 2011 tax year.Of concern however is that the apparent
casualness of the timing of the 2010 annual income tax season may have dire
consequences for the provisional taxpayer leading to a much harsher provisional
tax liability that otherwise might have been avoided.
The income tax filing season for 2010
kicked off as from July 1 with the address by the Commissioner of the South
African Revenue Service (SARS) Mr Oupa Magashula.However whilst the taxpayer may be gearing up
for the 2010 tax season there is a shocker in store for those having to submit
provisional tax returns when their attention turns to the August return.
For most taxpayers the August provisional tax return is the first of three.....
- New Procurement Act Regulations Go Before Parliament
- Parliament Goes To School On IP Legislation
- The Water Tariff Issue Gets Hot
- Petroleum Companies Are Set To Go
- Comment Called For On Environmental Issues
- CIPRO Issue Not To Go Away
- Minister Davies Comments on IPAP Submissions If you are interested in receiving the full Parliamentary Report please contact Amcham at 011 788 0265 or amcham@amcham.co.za This is strictly an Amcham member service.
With parliamentarians ending their “constituency period” on 22 January following the Christmas leave period, Parliament is due to commence its business on 25 January, the President’s state-of-the-nation address taking place on 11 February during a joint sitting of both the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces.
The budget speech will then follow on 17 February, immediately followed by debate on the National Fiscal Framework and the associated Appropriation Bill for the budget year in question.
As part of the budgetary process and to allow funds to reach all three tiers of government through the Division of Revenue Bill, the tabling of departmental strategic plans by some fifty government departments and some thirty parastatals and government agencies will subsequently take place. Such will occupy most of March, allowing for final debate on the budget in the National Assembly during early April.
It is expected that Parliament will rise for a short Easter recess on 29 March.
The South African Postbank Bill was amongst the ten pieces of legislation in process when Parliament went into recess.
Other legislation in the process of deliberation is the Protection of Personal Information Bill and the Criminal Law (Forensic Procedures) Amendment Bill, together with the Constitution Seventeenth Amendment Bill and the Safety at Sports and Recreational Events Bill.
Patrick McLaughlin AmCham parliamentary representatives & monitors De Graafs Bldg 9, Church Square, Cnr Parliament & Spin Streets Cape Town
The AmCham Leadership Award
27 November 2009
The AmCham Leadership Award is made each year for outstanding contribution to economic growth, business dialogue and strengthening democratic processes.
The Minister of Finance, Mr. Pravin Gordhan, was awarded the Amcham Leadership Award for 2009 at the Chamber’s Annual Thanksgiving Dinner.
Mr. Pravin Gordhan is recognized for the important role that he played in the liberation struggle, his extraordinary leadership during the negotiations which led to the country’s democracy and his successful transformation of the South Africa Revenue Services.
Attached is the citation that was delivered by Mr Roger Crawford, past President of Amcham, on the occasion of making the award to Mr Pravin Gordhan at the Amcham Thanksgiving Dinner on 25 November 2009.
South Africa - Washington Internship Program (SAWIP)
01 June 2009
"On Wednesday 7 May 2009, Reitumetse Benedict Phiri, an associate in the Johannesburg office of Dewey and Lebouef presented a speech to the guests of the South Africa - Washington Internship Program (SAWIP) at a Wine Sip which was held at the South African Embassy in Washington D.C. in order to raise funds for the program. SAWIP's United States Patron, Congressman Donald Payne attended the event as well as numerous congressional staffers, former ambassadors and representatives from diverse American civil society groups.
SAWIP is based on the Washington Ireland Programme for Service and Leadership (WIP) which has been successfully serving Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland's need to develop a new generation of young leaders who are committed to building on the peace and progress of the past decade and growing a stronger civil society on the island of Ireland. The SAWIP initiative has been led by the WIP alumni and both American and South African volunteers who were inspired by WIP to replicate the model for their peers in another transforming society.
Today, SAWIP has become a means for young South Africans to take on great responsibilities as they encourage others to contribute to positive social change. In June/July 2007 SAWIP embarked on a pilot programme with the backing of the WIP Board and assisted by a WIP Alumni Seed Grant, as well as private donors. The pilot invited, after a rigorous selection process, five young South Africans from the University of Cape Town to join peers from the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland in the WIP's established internship and leadership curriculum in Washington, DC. The pilot received endorsements and support from the Phelps Stokes Fund, the Department of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of South Africa, the South African Embassy in Washington, DC, the Ambassadors of Ireland and the United States of America in South Africa, Prof Kadar Asmal and Helen Zille. Such was the success of the pilot that SAWIP ran a second pilot in 2008 with seven South African participants from the Universities of Cape Town and Stellenbosch with the goals of developing a more distinct and targeted South Africa-specific program. This was funded by WIP, the Universities of Cape Town and Stellenbosch, private donors and through the students' own fund raising efforts."
Reitumetse Benedict Phiri is an alumnus of SAWIP, his speech is attached below.
Herewith a personal account of a voting experience in the South African 2009 elections. Our thanks to Greg Nott from member company Dewey & LeBoeuf for penning such an insightful account.
Kidnap-for-ransom has continued to escalate with more countries experiencing increasing numbers of incidents. 2008 has seen kidnap numbers soar in Pakistan; to such an extent it almost matches Mexico, notorious for its kidnapping industry. The other key development has been the astonishing rise in piracy around the Gulf of Aden. The Latin American countries still dominate the kidnap rankings with 43% of kidnappings still occur in this region. Haiti and Iraq are unusually absent from the top ten for kidnap-for-ransom as, following several years of high levels of incidents, rates have diminished.
