Page 4 - KZN Business Sense 10.5 Lead story Raksha Laghari- eBook

AFRICA MARITIME INVESTMENT INDABA SET TO

UNLOCK DURBAN’S OCEAN ECONOMY POTENTIAL

Thekwini Municipality Maritime Investment Indaba will
is proud to announce contribute to unlocking Durban’s
Ethe hosting of the Africa potential through job creation,
Maritime Investment Indaba community engagement, and
taking place from 6 to 8 November economic empowerment.
2024 at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli
International Convention Centre. For more information or to
register for the Africa Maritime
This prestigious event will Investment Indaba, go to www.
serve as a key platform to unlock africamaritimeindaba.com
Africa’s $3 trillion ocean economy, The conference organisers are
showcasing Durban’s maritime
potential, and positioning the also requesting information
City as a global leader in the blue about any Blue Ocean Economy/
economy. Maritime Projects that are
currently being planned or
The Africa Maritime underway.
Investment Indaba will bring These details can be submitted on
together maritime professionals, The Africa Maritime Investment Indaba offers a unique opportunity to showcase Durban as Africa’s premier port city.
industry leaders, investors, the following link:
and policymakers from across as infrastructure development, on African maritime supply designed to foster collaborations https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/
the continent and beyond. ocean conservation, and maritime chains, sustainable fishing and that will define the future of 1FAIpQLScqAkkY88yh3fXljgohvS
The event’s focus will be on manufacturing, the Indaba is aquaculture, offshore energy Africa’s ocean economy. HBdVb7fVdO9h9pkcWdHR4WY
catalysing maritime projects and set to unlock transformative markets, and coastal city tourism. EThekwini Municipality’s ZK_XA/viewform?pli=1
technological innovations to open opportunities for the City and the An exclusive Investment and Deal participation as the host
doors to strategic investments continent at large. We are eager Room will facilitate confidential partner underscores the City’s Any/all queries, questions or comments
that will drive Durban’s socio- to welcome global leaders and negotiations and transactions, commitment to leveraging its may please be directed to the event owner
economic growth, enhance port investors to Durban to explore further enhancing the City’s role strategic position as a key hub for organiser.

operations, and foster sustainable these exciting prospects.” in driving maritime growth. NYELETI MNISI
ocean practices. Participants will also benefit from maritime trade and innovation.
The event will feature a networking opportunities and With key infrastructure projects Strategic Partnerships
Commenting on the upcoming series of high-level dialogues investment matchmaking sessions already underway, the Africa T: +27 (0)10 141 6493
event, eThekwini City Manager M: +27 (0)76 588 9380
Musa Mbhele said: “The Africa WWW.AFRICAMARITIMEINDABA.COM
SCAN QR CODE
Maritime Investment Indaba TO SUPPLY INFO
offers a unique opportunity to ABOUT ANY BLUE
showcase Durban as Africa’s OCEAN ECONOMY/
premier port City. With a strong 6 - 8 NOVEMBER 2024 MARITIME
DURBAN DEC.ETHEKWINI.SOUTH AFRICA
focus on catalytic projects such UNLOCKING THE $3 TRILLION OCEAN ECONOMY MARKET PROJECTS
www.africamaritimeindaba.com

CITY WELCOMES BOOST IN BUSINESS CONFIDENCE AS

ECONOMY STRENGTHENS

he third quarter of 2024 improving service delivery, Notably, this increase repo rates, all contributing to Commenting on the
has seen a remarkable supporting economic growth, represents a 41.02% year-on- the growing confidence. report, eThekwini Mayor
Timprovement in business investment, job creation, year improvement, with service A notable rise was recorded Councillor Cyril Xaba said he
confidence in eThekwini and the sustainability of delivery being identified as a in the construction sector, acknowledges the challenges
Municipality, with the Durban the Municipality. key factor behind the boost in which experienced a substantial that remain in certain
Business Confidence Index According to the latest report business confidence. recovery, likely due to departments, particularly in
(BCI) rising for the second for Q3 of 2024, the Durban The Durban BCI reflects the government action against areas such as sewerage, solid
consecutive quarter.
BCI increased to 63.01, up from growing confidence of businesses criminal activities affecting waste, and water management.
This increase highlights the 55.49 in the previous quarter. in the City, aligning with the industry. However, he has no doubt that
City’s dedicated efforts to similar trends observed in the The sector’s confidence these departments will show
Bureau of Economic Research rose by 23.89%, signalling improvement under the tight
report released by Stellenbosch that interventions by law ship being run by eThekwini
University. enforcement and collaboration City Manager Musa Mbhele.
This correlation suggests that with the government are having
the Municipality’s strategies are a tangible impact. “His stewardship has already
aligned with broader economic Similarly, the agriculture sector delivered remarkable progress
improvements across the country. reported a remarkable 75% and successes in key areas such
as service delivery of electricity,
Political factors continue increase in confidence quarter- where we’ve seen significant
to influence the business on-quarter. advancements. We are com-
environment, yet a general Interest rate expectations also mitted to continuing this
decline in negative publicity showed positive trends, reflecting momentum, and I believe the
has positively impacted responses to the favourable positive changes we are witness-
perceptions. macroeconomic conditions. ing across the Municipality will
The report further highlights Many countries, particularly extend to these areas as well,
improvements in the in the Eurozone, have kept ensuring improved service deliver
macroeconomic environment, interest rates unchanged, for all residents and businesses,”
including the stabilisation reducing economic pressure added Mayor Xaba. 
of the electricity supply, the and contributing to a stable
appreciation of the rand, falling environment for businesses Website: www.durban.gov.za
eThekwini Mayor Councillor Cyril Xaba inflation, and the reduction of to thrive.

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