Page 4 - KZN Business Book Vol.3 No.2

KZN

KwaZulu-Natal
Business Chambers Council
DURBAN A DESTINATION OF CHOICE

Eekwini is working hard to make Durban a destination of choice for investment

I n a bid to ensure that Durban existing, are key levers we must “We are hugely excited and can’t economic growth and job place for both the province and
Investment Promotion
creation. In addition, this has
the municipality to retain and
wait to continue to co-cra the
rmly grasp and pull to urgently
delivers more eectively on its
additional Durban Investment
leaders, and the eekwini
objectives, the municipality and improve the Durban economy. elements with key business recently been supplemented with attract new investments. Durban
and KZN’s most attractive
key business people welcomed a He said this visit by experts leadership, because the last time Promotion incentives and external characteristics for investors are its
high powered delegation to comes aer the World Bank we had a similar kind of step- support services for new investors. great social environment and its
Durban in early March from the hosted a weeklong series of change opportunity for Durban competitive transportation, utility,
World Bank. eir project is part meetings with government and Investment Promotion was over “e policy and practice seeks property and technology infra-
of the National Treasury’s City business mid last year, and tabled 17 years ago. is will denitely be to oer property rates rebates, structure. e tourism industry
Support Programme to assist with a “Findings and Recommenda- the greatest practical opportunity subsidised professional services, as and Durban’s location as a
the development of a global best tions Report” with solutions to in two decades to better engage well as non-nancial facilitation transport and logistics hubs are
practice investment promotion ensure the strategy does not just with investors, and make a support for investors. We are seen as the main investment
strategy. Attached to this will be end on paper. step-change to urgently secure pleased to already be oering this opportunities. Construction and
an implementation plan, which new development for us all,” said support to investors, with certain manufacturing have been identi-
seeks to better structure, resource “Some of the ndings included Curtis. applications already received from ed as additional investment
and deliver not only an improved developing an entirely new, potential beneciaries,” he added. drivers”, according to Deloitte.
Durban Investment Promotion focussed strategy, identifying the He said it is public knowledge
service, but a material step change best human and nancial that the highest percentage of Recently the City’s Economic Lastly, the survey conrmed,
in investment for the benet of all. resources, and adopting the global government revenues come from Development and Planning “Durban performs strongly for
As everyone is aware, we best practise structure and business trade and investments, Committee noted the Deloitte nancial soundness, municipal
desperately need signicantly operations to headline Durban’s which is why the City is now Durban KwaZulu-Natal Invest- compliance and selected service
more jobs and revenues for all, investment promotion eorts,” doubling its eorts to quickly ment Location Study which had delivery areas.”
urgently. said Curtis. accelerate the City’s economy. many positive ndings, in
ese eorts are also linked to the addition to the challenging areas. eekwini therefore looks
e World Bank supported He said the process was rst City’s overarching economic forward to implementing our
project, led by Robert Whyte and funded by National Treasury who development and job creation e report indicated that more World Bank plus National
George Bennett of the World Bank contracted the World Bank strategy, which calls for improved than 56% of the respondents are Treasury partners’ recommenda-
Group, is made up of six people through their Cities Support economic leadership and greater planning to invest more in tions as we aim to make a more
with signicant experience in Programme (CSP). Other partners xed capital investments (by both Durban and 60% across KZN. meaningful and impactful
businesses and government have now come on board as well. government in infrastructure, and Durban and KZN, according to improvement for investment
investment promotion agencies, e CSP programme involves the business for growth). the Deloitte Report are, “leading promotion in Durban. Business is
domestically and internationally. engagement of eight municipali- most South African locations invited to help lead this, plus give
ties that are the country’s engines Curtis added that the City also when it comes to an attractive inputs on the quality of
Russell Curtis from Durban for economic growth and have the has the relatively new incentives social environment and infra- implementation.
Investment Promotion said that potential to attract signicant new policy (rates rebates) for new structure”. e survey reveals that
attracting new investors, whilst investment, if we get more things investments, which was launched “Durban and KZN have some
expanding those whom are right in these spaces. in June last year to stimulate sound fundamentals already in

WHAT TO EXPECT FROM MINISTER MALUSI GIGABA

Marisa Jacobs -
Director - Lessons from Immigration and Work Permit Professionals
Head of
Immigration
and Mobility,
Xpatweb
application for a “general” work abridged birth certicates for allow another abridged birth nd themselves on the wrong side
visa which requires the children travelling to South Africa certicate type debacle. at of the Minister, especially with
Department of Labour’s blessing). and the more recent inspections to matter has shown us that he takes some recent policy
Our sense is that the Minister has ensure South African businesses principled policy decisions and announcements on expatriate
created a space for competent comply with the requirement to drives them hard even where there taxes. Making a tax check on
Home Aairs ocials to get things employ a minimum of 60% South is good evidence that a contrary passport renewals is an easy step
done. African citizens. In particular, how view would be preferred. with the systems he has
introduced.
the abridged birth certicate issue
e Minister has achieved much
A Some recent initiatives include was handled has raised many at a young age, which will I may be one of the few positive

concerns and may have cost our
the formal introduction of
hopefully come with the ability to
learn from one’s mistakes and
permanent residency for
country plenty.
voices, but our work permit
s the
African graduates, the introduction of VFS make a good recovery thereaer. business has transformed under
saying goes, a leopard cannot to outsource administration and a Onto Finance and Tax He might even connect the his stewardship, mainly due to the
So, what does the Minister’s
creation of an environment which
long-waited dots between tax
White Paper to completely revamp
change its spots and the zebra its work visas and migration etc. appointment mean for National policy and immigration matters. looks aer the ones who align
stripes. Perhaps there are some ere is, of course, unnished Treasury and SARS, both being themselves with good practice and
lessons to be learned, optimistic business such as with regard to the structurally sounder than the Rattling Some Cages compliance. Obviously, I will have
but also cautionary, now that the law that obliges South African Home Aairs department which More accurate registering and to chin-up if by publishing there
immigration fraternity pass on the passport holders to travel with Minister Gigaba inherited? As he tracking of foreign nationals was has been a presidency change, but
baton to fellow professionals with their passport in and out of South did with Home Aairs, the one of the Minister’s landmark if I can make one request to the
vested interests in National Africa and how South Africa Minister will probably allow the initiatives while at the helm of the new kingpin, it is that he transfer
Treasury and SARS.
should be dealing with the thorny good guys to get on with their Home Aairs department. Sharing Minister Gigaba back to Home
Streamlined Work Visas matter of dual passport holders. work. ere may be some winning that ability with SARS to ensure Aairs.
everyone pays their taxes will no
over to do, as he comes in with a
However, the bottom line is that
Minister Malusi Gigaba was the Minister has done plenty in a negative presumption on the doubt make a dierence to our tax
appointed as Minister of Home short period of time and where reason for his appointment, collection. Coming down on C: 072 522 3690
T: 011 467 4241
Aairs in May 2014. We have no many before him have failed however, if you consider where employers of foreign nationals F: 078 668 69607
specialist knowledge on his dismally. As work visa and Home Aairs was a couple of who do not play by the rules was www.xpatweb.com
relationship with his former immigration specialists, we are sad years ago, compared to where it is something important to him, and www.workpermitsouthafrica.co.za
employees, however, dealing with to see him go and he leaves a now, I have more hope than most. now with the taxman doing his
the Department of Home Aairs much more robust Home Aairs bidding, he should arrive with
on work visas daily, we have seen department. A bigger concern will be more purpose. On the passport
the positive transformation with whether he intends to adopt any matter, South African passport
him at the helm. e Department Some Negatives controversial positions. As he is holders who contribute nothing to
now have better processes, Some of the less favourable now dealing with economic and our scus and feel they owe the
legislative direction and drastically examples of Gigaba’s legacy are, of tax policy, the cost will be far country nothing (even though
improved administration (except course, the requirement of greater if the Minister should they use our passport) may also
perhaps in the case of an
4