Liquor industry in bid to reignite economy

A HIGH-LEVEL meeting between the government and liquor industry leaders saw the sector make its final proposals to reignite the economic activity decimated by the coronavirus pandemic regulations.

They proposed that the government open economic activity in their industry by Monday, a week before the country goes to level 3, which would allow alcohol trading but under strict conditions.

Among their proposals is the request to trade liquor online and the permission for bulk importation and exportation of liquor in level 4.

On Friday, senior representatives from nine leading liquor industry lobby groups met Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (dtic) Deputy Minister Fikile Majola and the dtic’s deputy director-general, Dr Evelyn Masotja, to table plans for liquor sales.

The plan calls for the industry to be allowed to return to work by Monday, “to safely start preparing for readiness for level 3 on May 31 or on June 1”.

The meeting included the SA Liquor Brand Owners Association (SALBA); the Beer Association of SA (BASA); Vinpro, which represents about 2500 wine producers, cellars and industry stakeholders; the Craft Brewers Association of SA; Wines of South Africa; the SA Brandy Foundation; SA Breweries (SAB) and the SA Craft Distillers Institute.

They also proposed trading from Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm, Saturdays between 9am and 4pm, with no trading on Sundays and public holidays.

“Tavern owners and micro-breweries or distilleries and wine cellars to be granted off-consumption licences to trade.

“Bulk and packaged liquor exports and imports allowed including related transport of such goods.

“No price promotions or events/ gatherings for the duration of Covid,” the document stated.

The government had said it would open liquor sales only from Monday to Wednesday between 8am and midday on level 3.

Yesterday, Zoleka Lisa of SAB and Millicent Maroga of Heineken both confirmed the existence of the document as well as the meeting with the government, but declined to comment further.

Sidwell Medupe, spokesperson for the dtic, did not answer calls or text messages for comment yesterday.