The Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism says the South African tourism industry is showing one of the fastest growth rates in the world.

Foreign tourist arrivals in South Africa increased by 10,1 percent for the first ten months of 2002, reaching its peak in October, when more than half a million visitors streamed into the country.

This is the highest figure recorded since 1998. According to Environmental Affairs and Tourism Minister Mohammed Valli Moosa, this increase has created an enormous number of new job opportunities.

Moosa has also confirmed that legislation to be tabled before the National Assembly this year will include two conservation bills, as well as marine and air quality proposals. The minister says there is a need for a Biodiversity Bill, in view of the unregulated nature of various environmental issues.

"Many companies, including foreign corporate giants, have access to our indigenous plants, and often patent them for their own selfish ends. We want to bring a stop to that", Moosa explained.

He also described South Africa's hosting of the World Parks Congress in September 2003 as a milestone for conservation. The congress is scheduled to take place in Durban from 8 to 17 September.

Another important development was the establishment of an environmental court in Hermanus, in association with the Departments of Justice and Public Works.

"This measure will speed up the prosecution of environmental crimes, which have had to wait too long in the magistrate's courts in the past", Moosa said.

Legislation in respect of air quality would be strengthened this year, to enable government to deal with defaulting companies, who do not comply with their operating permits. In terms of these measures, the government would not hesitate to close down these companies, if the need arose, Moosa added.

South Africa is to play a significant international role in the implementation of decisions taken at last year's World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD). Moosa has been appointed to chair the 11th Session of the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development in New York next month.

"My appointment will give South Africa an opportunity to influence the direction of the WSSD outcomes process," Moosa said.