Page 11 - KZN Business Sense 7.7 ebook

DURBAN ICC HOSTS SUCCESSFUL INTRA-AFRICAN

TRADE FAIR

he award-winning Durban the welcoming of high-profile with only 15% of the previous than 17 times and has retained Key Event Statistics
International Convention African delegates by KwaZulu- year’s revenue. the number one spot as Africa’s
TCentre hosted the sixth Natal Premier Sihle Zikalala; “However, we were determined leading convention centre in 2021. ▶ 11,828 attendees recorded
major international in-person the trade and investment to bounce back after the Winning awards is a visible at IATF 2021, against a
conference since March 2021 and forums; the networking pandemic, and were confident target of 10,000
the seven-day expo which kicked sessions; exhibitions; right to demonstration of all the behind-
off large-scale business events in the closing address by Kanayo that bookings would resume the-scenes hard work from the ▶ 0ver 27,000 registrations on
Durban ICC teams and people
when the lockdown was
the city was a resounding success. Awani, managing director of progressively eased and the whose principal focus is to the IATF Virtual platform
The who’s who of African Intra-African Trade Initiative plague had been eliminated,” continuously provide world-class ▶ 1,161 exhibitors across all
leaders attended the Intra- at Afreximbank, the main she said. customer service to clients, both verticals, against a target
African Trade Fair (IATF2021) organiser; IATF2021 passed local and international. of 1,100
from 15 to 21 November to build with flying colours. Although the doors of the
“When we look ahead, we see a
a strategic platform to boost Delivering the closing remarks Durban ICC largely remained future which will be reshaped with ▶ 59 countries attended and
closed, staff were continually being
trade and investment throughout on Sunday 21 November, Awani trained so that they would be in exhibited at IATF 2021,
the continent. said the event exceeded all top form when the Durban ICC virtual and hybrid meetings, with including 46 African states
continuing innovation stemming
The fair attracted 11 828 attendees expectations and it was an all- resumed its central role in the city, from technology solutions. We ▶ Participants at IATF 2021
(against the target of 10 000 round success, especially in light province and country’s tourism look forward to a tourism sector came from 128 countries
attendees) from across Africa of the challenges. economy, creating opportunities that is stronger than ever, one that around the world
to see a total of 1161 exhibitors Rakharebe said IATF was and jobs in the broad value chain, is more environmentally, socially
(1100 targeted) showcasing previously due to be held in and supporting the transformation and economically sustainable,” ▶ 70 sponsors, 51 of whom
their goods and services, Kigali, Rwanda. The decision of our economy to become more said Rakharebe.  had exhibition stands
with $36 billion of trade and to move the Trade Fair to inclusive of all our people.
investment deals estimated to Durban was arrived at after “The close-knit team of
have been signed and sealed at formal consultations with
the event, the IATF said. employees strives to maintain
the Government of Rwanda, the Durban ICC strong inherent
An ecstatic Lindiwe Rakharebe, who indicated that logistical culture of warmth and hospitality
CEO of Durban ICC, said the constraints related to the that we are known for. Our people
convention centre lived up to Covid-19 pandemic had adversely are the main contributors to our
expectations to successfully stage affected the progress of success - they always ensure that
a crucial event after being almost construction of a new facility to each guest leaves the Durban
mothballed since the Covid-19 host the event. ICC happy and satisfied with the
pandemic grounded world global service received.”
travel and the business tourism Recalling the past 20 months, The Durban ICC has won
industry. she said the Covid-19 pandemic
brought travel and conference the World Travel Awards -
From the opening address by tourism to a standstill and, in Africa’s Leading Meetings and
President Cyril Ramaphosa; the last financial year, left ICC Conference Centre, no fewer Dr Edouard Ngirente, Prime Minister of the Republic of Rwanda and
President Cyril Ramaphosa

CLOCK IN ON ENERGY PERFORMANCE CERTIFICATES

wners of buildings in Bredenkamp says compliance regulations apply to government many parts of the world and some
South Africa have exactly with EPC regulations will enable buildings of more than 1,000 cases even extend right down to
Oone year left to obtain and building owners to identify square metres and privately- the level of residential buildings,
prominently display an Energy where they could introduce owned buildings of more than and they are one of many energy
Performance Certificate (EPC) or energy efficiency measures that 2,000 square metres. An accurate efficiency measures currently
risk a fine of R5 million, five years would, in turn, save them money figure of the number of buildings being implemented to drive down
imprisonment or both. and possibly increase the value covered by the regulations is not fossil fuel consumption and
of their buildings. “An energy available but Bredenkamp says carbon emissions worldwide.
The regulations, under the
National Energy Act, were efficient building is generally estimates vary between 150,000 “We had cause to celebrate when
a better environment in which
and 250,000 buildings that need
gazetted a year ago, on 8 to work and is significantly less to comply with the regulations. South Africa introduced EPC
December 2020, and apply until expensive to run, so an owner can international best-practice a year
7 December 2022, meaning that An EPC rates buildings on a ago, and we are hoping that many
building owners who have not potentially justify a higher price scale of A to G in a similar way to more of our building owners will
if they want to sell or impose a
acted have exactly a year left in higher rental for office space,” how appliances are rated for their see the value in energy efficiency.”
which to comply. The regulations explains Bredenkamp. energy efficiency. A D-rating is
require that owners of four the benchmark rating that is in Bredenkamp adds that the
categories of buildings must “The more energy efficient line with the national building process of obtaining an EPC
has significant job creation
obtain an EPC, which in general buildings become, the more regulations. An EPC must be potential. “An EPC must be issued
terms, gives a building a rating they will contribute to taking prominently displayed in the
based on the amount of energy electricity demand off the foyer of a building. by a South African National
consumed per square metre. national grid. This could help “The regulations do provide Accreditation System accredited
inspection body. With many
to ease loadshedding, and by
The South African National penalties for any particular rating thousands of buildings to be
Energy Development Institute reducing carbon emissions, lower than an A-rating, but the rated, inspection bodies will
building owners will be
(SANEDI), which maintains an helping our country to meet primary objective in obliging almost certainly need to employ
EPC register on behalf of the building owners to obtain significant numbers of individuals
Department of Mineral Resources its international obligations to EPCs is to make them aware to assist them in gathering the
combat climate change.”
and Energy (DMRE), has urged of their energy consumption required data, measurements and
building owners to take all The categories that currently and encourage them to be more related information, for their final
necessary steps to comply with need to comply are offices, energy efficient if their EPC rating review and sign-off”. 
EPC regulations, emphasising entertainment facilities, is poor,” explains Bredenkamp.
that compliance affords them, and educational institution buildings, “Buildings are responsible for For more information on the EPC
the country a range of benefits. and places of public assembly between 30% and 40% of carbon regulations, go to https://www.sanedi.
such as sporting facilities org.za/Energy_Performance_Certificates.
SANEDI General Manager and community centres. The emissions worldwide. EPC html and Notice 700 of Gov Gazette
for Energy Efficiency, Barry programmes are commonplace in 43972 of 8 December 2020 (1).pdf

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