Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Ebrahim Patel has proposed to issue a Trade Policy Directive and Notice that scrap metal may not be exported from South Africa for a further temporary period of nine months and that the International Trade Administration Commission of South Africa (Itac) shall suspend the operation of the price preference system (PPS) insofar as it relates to scrap metal for a further temporary period of nine months or until the date on which the PPS terminates, whichever is earlier. He has also requested interested parties to make submissions or to comment on the proposal.