Page 7 - KZN Business Sense - 4.2

INVESTMENT DRIVE IN THE UNITED KINGDOM INVEST DURBAN

resident Cyril Ramaphosa “This week we announced later this year. We expect But the President’s visit was Also in London to support the
has set the wheels of an ambitious investment drive that investors from other more than just pleasantries, President’s investment drive
Pinvestment into South that aims to generate at least Commonwealth countries will with investment at the top of were representatives of Invest
Africa in motion at the $100 billion in new investment be prominent among those his agenda. Durban, a partnership between
KwaZulu-Natal’s eThekwini Metro
Commonwealth Business Forum over the next five years. I have participating at the conference As a collective the City Council and the private
in London on Tuesday 17 April. appointed four investment – and that it will include Commonwealth countries
envoys to go right across the several of the people attending business sector. The body exists to
He used his keynote address world, to go and campaign for the Commonwealth Business represent 2.4 billion citizens stimulate economic growth and
at the forum to punt his newly- investments for our country Forum,” said the President. and have historical trade new investment in Durban, the
appointed investment envoys, because once again South Africa The special envoys on and investment ties, similar economic hub of the KwaZulu-
while calling on Commonwealth is truly open for investment.” investment are made up of legal systems and forms of Natal, located on the country’s
countries to pledge towards “This drive will culminate finance heavyweights such as government, and a common eastern seaboard and which is
investment in South Africa. in an Investment Conference former Finance Minister Trevor language of commerce. home to two of Africa’s biggest
Manuel, former Finance Deputy “For us, the Commonwealth and busiest seaports, Durban
and Richards Bay. Investment
Minister Mcebisi Jonas, Executive provides a platform to forge opportunities abound in this
Chairperson of Afropulse Group common approaches to top destination, regarded as a
Phumzile Langeni and Chairman matters of global importance, business gateway to South Africa’s
of Liberty Group and former CEO underpinned by a commitment hinterland, Africa and the world.
of Standard Bank Jacko Maree. to democracy, human rights,
good governance and prosperity
President Ramaphosa left for all. It is also a platform to Maintaining the investment
for the United Kingdom on promote trade, investment drive momentum, Invest
Monday, 16 April to attend the and the exchange of skills and Durban, in conjunction with the
jam-packed Commonwealth knowledge between countries.” KZN Growth Coalition, is set to
Heads of Government Meeting host an additional investment
(CHOGM). His diary included “As the President of South Africa mission in the United Kingdom.
a courtesy call to Her Majesty I am here to do good business Focusing on sharing available
Queen Elizabeth, a bilateral deals to attract investment to investment opportunities in
meeting with Prime Minister South Africa and indeed to Newcastle between 5 and 7
Theresa May, attending the Africa, our continent,” said the June and in London on 8 June,
CHOGM opening and closing President. when the organisations will
sessions as well as participating stage a Durban, KwaZulu-Natal
in a number of executive and He assured potential investors Investment Day. The Mission, led
retreat sessions. that South Africa is open for by the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial
business and the country is Government’s Members of the
During his courtesy call putting measures in place to make Executive Council, the Mayor
to the Queen, the President it conducive and attractive to of Durban and a number of
received a framed letter that investors. prominent local business leaders,
Nelson Mandela wrote to aims to promote the City and
the Queen in 1994, as South “We are improving the Province as a premier investment
Africa was readmitted to the investment environment by, destination, whilst showcasing
Commonwealth. South Africa is among other things, ensuring a diverse range of flagship,
this year marking the centenary policy certainty and consistency, investor-ready projects through
of the late struggle icon, who improving the performance of a series of organised business-to-
would have turned 100 years old state-owned enterprises and business engagements. 
President Cyril Ramaphosa and Russell Curtis of Invest Durban on 18 July 2018. consolidating fiscal debt.”

21 YEARS OF CHANGING LIVES CELEBRATED

he Durban International “The stakeholders who have attracting international
Convention Centre travelled this journey with us delegates to South Africa.
T(Durban ICC) recently must equally be celebrated as
launched its 21st anniversary they have been instrumental in Over the years, the Centre’s
celebration campaign comprising helping to drive positive change local, provincial and national
a series of nationwide events in society and empowering contribution to the economy
leading up to an exclusive gala ordinary South Africans.” has been significant with over
dinner on 27 October 2018. R34.4 billion being generated
Rakharebe added that 2018 also towards South Africa’s GDP. The
Africa’s leading convention marked 100 years since the birth majority of this contribution
centre will leave no stone of anti-apartheid stalwart, Nelson directly benefited the KwaZulu-
unturned in ensuring that Mandela, who officially opened Natal Gross Geographic Product
the various stakeholders that the Durban ICC in 1997. over the same period to the tune
have helped Durban ICC of R 32.6 billion.
earn this prestigious title are The socio-economic impact
acknowledged and appreciated created by the existence of the “As we evolve as a thought
for their contributions towards ICC with support from various leader in the international events
the organisation’s success. stakeholder groups resonates space, we remain steadfast in our
with the theme “21 Years of commitment to delivering an
“The rationale for extending Changing Lives”. unforgettable event experience
the celebrations is to ensure for all our guests.
inclusivity and the participation Durban was the first South
of our key clients, industry African city to establish an “Whilst operating in a
partners, members of the international convention centre responsible and profitable
wider community and other and was the trailblazer in the manner, care will be taken
stakeholders who will be hosted growth and development of the to ensure that the positive
through a series of events from business tourism industry in socio-economic impact to the
now until October,” said Lindiwe the country. The Durban ICC citizens of Durban is heartfelt,”
Rakharebe, Durban ICC’s Chief makes a significant contribution concluded Rakharebe. 
Executive Officer. to the tourism industry by

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