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The Paper Manufacturers Association of South Africa was formed in 1992 to represent South African pulp and paper producers. Membership is open to any employer in the industry involved in the manufacture or distribution of recycled paper, pulp, paper, board and tissue products. The current members represent over 90% of the paper manufacturing capacity in South Africa. Pamsa's Role
Education
Government
Pamsas is involved with the Department of Trade and Industry in developing a growth strategy for the industry. This strategy identifies opportunities for the pulp and paper industry to contribute to the national development of South Africa and identifies and addresses the challenges facing the industry. The negotiation by Government of bi- and multi-lateral trade agreements has important implications for market access to an export oriented industry such as pulp and paper. Pamsa therefore ensures that its position on such negotiations is known to Government. Apart from trade related issues, many other aspects of National policy making impact on the industry. These can be in areas such as environmental affairs, health and safety, education and water affairs. Pamsas role is to provide a representative forum from which various Government departments can be engaged on issues affecting the industry.
Industry Promotion Pamsa produces a brochure providing an introduction to the South African pulp and paper industry and providing statistics on the capacity and production of the industry. Pamsa is responsible for the collection and compilation of industry data. Structure of Pamsa
Pamsa's activities are governed by an annual general meeting of the members. This meeting approves the budget and appoints an Executive Committee which manages the affairs of the Association. An Executive Director manages Pamsas affairs on a day-to-day basis. Specific issues dealt with by Pamsa are managed through a committee structure.
Activities of Pamsa
Pamsas activities are primarily in the following areas:
Technical Pamsa's technical committee focuses on the research and development strategy for the industry and ensures that research capacity is generated in areas of interest to the industry. This is achieved through support and guidance of the University of KwaZulu Natal and through cooperative research projects. The committee also ensures that the industry gets access to research and development funding provided by the Government through programmes such as the Technology and Human Resources for Industry Programme (THRIP) and the Innovation Fund. Environment
The pulp and paper industry has a high profile in regard to environmental issues. The environmental committees role is to address the various legislative issues facing the industry and present the industrys perspective. In addition to this, it is involved in providing an industry response to issues such as the Kyoto Protocol, greenhouse gas emissions monitoring and formulating the industrys response to the Johannesburg Earth Summit
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