The government is considering reducing import duties on products needed for its infrastructure development programme, ostensibly to reduce cost pressures as the R400bn programme gathers pace

Commercial property association Sapoa has come out in support of a voluntary, incentivised, inclusive housing policy rather than a compulsory one

The big four banks in the Financial Sector Charter agreed to deliver a minimum of R42 billion for new affordable housing.

Civil engineering contractor Esor has scored more than R500m from government's increased spending on infrastructure for the 2010 Soccer World Cup.

CEO Bernie Krone said new contracts, including the Gautrain project and the upgrading of the OR Tambo Airport, had swelled the company's order book by R580m, putting Esor firmly on track to achieve targeted growth for the new financial year starting this month.

"We intend leveraging our new directors' network and industry knowledge to drive growth and position the group as a favourite contender for infrastructure contracts," Krone said.

The group has to date tendered for Gautrain contracts to the value of R365m, of which R80m has been secured in two piling projects.

"We are still awaiting a decision on the remaining tenders and are confident of our prospects in this regard," he said.

Other new contracts include R80m worth of contracts for the Airports Company of SA, in line with its R5,2bn intended outlay between 2005 and 2009. Esor has already completed the upgrades at the OR Tambo International Airport and is now extending the Cape Town International Airport.

"Following Esor's completion of the Ushaka Pier marine project, the group is now aligned with the preferred bidder for the Ushaka airport in Durban," said Krone.

Mayor Helen Zille is 'very relieved' that construction of the 2010 World Cup Green Point project would go ahead

In a bid to bring down costs related to the construction of 2010 World Cup facilities, government has announced it might bring in Chinese companies.

Use grants or lose them, says official

The public enterprises department has taken the extraordinary step of releasing a confidential report on the state of SA’s electricity market which paints a bleak picture of the prospects for power supply in the next few years.

The revival of Johannesburg’s inner city has seen an escalation in the value of property, making it more difficult for government and non profit organisations to provide much needed social housing for low-income earners.

Historic Gamtoos Ferry Hotel will be demolished despite numerous objections