Draft construction industry development regulations to boost black economic empowerment and the involvement of women in the sector have been published by department of public works minister Stella Sigcau.

This opens a process of public consultation on the implementation of planned national registers of contractors and of construction projects.

Public works spokesperson Lucky Mochalibane said this was the third initiative by the department to create a sustainable economic environment for black and women-owned or controlled small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

From April, when the regulations are phased in, no public sector construction contracts will be issued to contractors - be they white or black - who are not in the register.

Sigcau, who issued the rules in terms of the Construction Industry Development Board Act, said: "Together with the industry, much has been achieved in promoting access to opportunities by the historically disadvantaged." But their sustainable growth and development have been constrained by an unpredictable tendering environment in the construction sector.

"The [development board] will implement the construction registers service as legislated by parliament to enable an enabling regulatory environment that supports improved industry performance and more effective deliver," said Sigcau. 

"This intervention is a timely one in view of the significant growth challenges facing the industry as it responds to a growing economy and South Africa's development agenda."

The register of contractors will streamline public sector delivery and provide a framework to ensure that SMEs emerge into the mainstream construction economy.

The register of projects will provide decision makers with reliable information on the nature, value and distribution of projects. All private and public sector clients will be required to register projects with a value of R3 million and above.

The two registers were pioneered by the department, the Gauteng and Limpopo provincial public works departments, the Gauteng department of housing and eThekwini Metro.

The department in 1998 came up with a strategic project initiative that set aside R600 million for projects to be executed by black contractors only, to enable them to move from being subcontractors to being prime contractors.

In August 2001 it adopted a strategic employment initiative. Under this, R128 million was set aside for projects by women.