The KLEBA’s first meeting for 2016 took place at the Nelspruit Hotel and Conference Centre on 14 April, just prior to the KLCBT’s Annual General Meeting. The initiative, kick-started by the KLCBT last year, aims to improve business and tourism in the province by ensuring that all chambers work together. “The KLEBA, following its meeting yesterday, is now moving from talk to action,” says the KLCBT’s chief operating Officer Linda Grimbeek, who chaired the alliance meeting.
A brainstorming session was held during the meeting for the KLEBA to identify the biggest issues affecting business and tourism in the region and to come up with solutions to solve these challenges. The meeting was divided into four groups, each of which had to come up with three challenges and solutions. From these, each group then had to identify one of the issues listed as a priority focus area.
“The top three challenges identified are reducing the gap between government and business, safety and security and not enough water resources,” says Grimbeek.
“Solutions for these challenges were also raised and the KLEBA has formed a committee for each focus area to tackle these challenges. Interested parties wishing to join forces with us are welcome to contact the KLCBT for details,” she adds.
Other issues identified include the quality of municipal services, red tape when it comes to establishing new businesses, signage, training of car guards to assist tourists, site promotion, available information to assist new businesses, skills development, prohibitive environmental laws, buying locally, joining a business chamber and the competition faced by entrepreneurs in the region.
