Page 19 - KZN Top Business Portfolio 2018

Finance, Real Estate and Business Services Sector will further strengthen its position in the KwaZulu-
Natal Midlands.
KwaZulu-Natal boasts a strong finance, real estate
and business services sector which is growing fast. Investment Opportunities
According to ManpowerGroup’s latest employment The KwaZulu-Natal government intends to continue
outlook survey for South Africa, 14% of employers to ensure the creation of an investment conducive
expect to increase staffing levels during 2018.
environment in the province and there are many
Business process outsourcing (BPO) is a major market opportunities.
sector in the region. The province is home to more than “A stable macroeconomic environment remains
60 BPO centres and accounts for almost 50% of South essential in providing an environment where the
Africa’s financial services call centres. private businesses can thrive. This implies that there
is a need for policy certainty and sound regulations
KwaZulu-Natal offers a range of shopping experiences
from mega-malls such as Gateway in Umhlanga to that guarantee the protection of investments by
both domestic and foreign investors,” said MEC for
rural micro markets. The ongoing construction of new Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental
shopping malls and the expansion of existing ones Affairs Mr Sihle Zikalala.
across the Province, gives evidence to the fact that the
retail trade is booming. KwaZulu-Natal Premier Willies Mchunu recently
commented, “The forging of a working relationship
The Ballito Junction Regional Mall was named the between government and business is essentially
best new shopping centre development in South aimed at maintaining our status as a province that is
Africa in 2017. It won the prestigious South African a gateway to Africa and the world as enshrined in our
Council of Shopping Centres’ Retail Design and 2035 vision.
Development Award (RDDA) 2017 for a new retail
property development. By 2035 KwaZulu-Natal will be a prosperous Province
with a healthy, secure and skilled population, living in
In Pietermaritzburg, the Liberty Midlands Mall phase dignity and harmony, acting as a gateway to Africa and
three opened on the 15th March 2018. The expansion the World.”

f Photograph courtesty of Tsogo Sun
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