Department Of Trade, Industry And Competition

The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition is a South African government department responsible for industrial development, trade policy, competition regulation and economic transformation. The department, commonly referred to as the dtic (lower case), formulates and implements policies to promote investment, manufacturing competitiveness and job creation across the economy. Its mandate spans trade negotiations, export promotion, import regulation, industrial incentives and the administration of special economic zones. The dtic oversees a range of entities including the International Trade Administration Commission of South Africa (Itac), the Competition Commission and the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission. It administers key legislation such as the Competition Act, the Consumer Protection Act and various trade measures including tariffs, import permits and export controls. The department plays a central role in South Africa's reindustrialisation agenda, black economic empowerment policy and efforts to deepen regional integration within the Southern African Development Community and the African Continental Free Trade Area. It also coordinates government support for sectors ranging from steel, metals and chemicals to automotive, textiles and agro-processing. The dtic was formed in 2019 through the merger of the former Department of Trade and Industry with the economic development and competition functions previously held by the Economic Development Department, consolidating trade and industrial policy under a single ministry.