Cape Town — Science and Technology Minister Mosibudi Mangena has urged South African industries to invest more in technological research, saying this is the only way the country can compete in the global marketplace.

Speaking during the launch of the Western Cape's Provincial Advanced Manufacturing Technology Strategy (AMTS) here yesterday, Mr Mangena said local industry was not investing enough in research.

"As a result we have been reduced into mere consumers in a technologically-driven global market," he said.

The AMTS is an initiative driven by the Department of Science and Technology in collaboration with the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).

Its main objective is to strengthen the competitiveness of the manufacturing sector through the introduction of innovative, technology-based systems in the manufacturing sector.

Its current focus is on clothing, craft, electronics, food, metals and engineering, with the aim of producing high quality commodities.

The Western Cape is launching this strategy against a backdrop of a shrinking manufacturing sector as a result of, among other things, competition from foreign industries.

Western Cape MEC for Environment, Planning and Economic Development, Tasneem Essop, said AMTS would ensure that technology was accessible to all firms, in a move to keep them competitive and sustainable.

"The strategy will contribute in increasing competitiveness, thereby creating jobs and reducing poverty.

"For us to benefit more from the strategy, we will need to move very quickly towards implementing it," she said.