JOHANNESBURG, July 8 -- The new South African government will among other issues address logistical challenges in the next five years to grow the economy, said Transport Minister Barbara Creecy Monday.

"South Africa's logistical sector is not operating as either an effective economic facilitator or social service," said Creecy when addressing the 42nd meeting of the Southern African Transport Conference in Pretoria, the country's administrative capital.

"As the 7th administration, we are aware of these challenges and aim to address them comprehensively throughout the next five-year term," she said.

South Africa will focus on key logistics corridors, addressing backlogs and congestion at strategic border crossings, and combating cable theft and maintenance backlogs at the country's transport utility Transnet, according to the minister.

The government will also work to improve operational automation and real-time tracking of shipments to assist port management, and modernize the management of its railway system, said Creecy. "By fully integrating and upgrading our rail networks in the southern African region, we can further the objectives of agreements such as the African Continental Free Trade Area and, from a South African perspective, take advantage of our membership of BRICS to access new markets."

  - Xinhua