2010 business opportunities conference opens

It aims to unveil the potential economic opportunities and launch a platform for business and government to set a process for 2010 opportunities to be harnessed for economic and social development, thereby creating a legacy in people's day-to-day economic lives for a lasting impact.

Close to 1000 delegates from various sectors of local business – including construction, tourism, hospitality and catering, transport, security, ICT, manufacturing (retail and wholesale) and health – are currently attending the event, which is a unique platform to share ideas on how optimise opportunities around the 2010 FIFA World Cup and beyond.

Build confidence

In her keynote address, Mlambo-Ngcuka said: “It is indeed an important opportunity for SA to leverage social and economic cohesion, build confidence of our people in the continent and position Africa as a major role player in the global sphere.”

But, as it is the case in many African countries where projects of huge financial magnitude mostly benefit the elite and big corporate guns at the expense of small struggling businesses and ordinary citizens, certain quarters are already expressing fears that this might happen in SA.

However, Mlambo-Ngcuka said that the country will take urgent steps to ensure that the event benefited everyone. “We will do whatever we can to train our people and create jobs to improve the quality of life, ensuring that there is broader participation and balance in accessing resources,” she said.

“Today we have assembled here a huge audience of SMMEs, big business players and various service providers, and we are hoping that this investment augurs well for the future of our people and represents a constructive factor of our country.”

Development of infrastructures

Tumi Makgabo, LOC communications manager, told Bizcommunity.com that the Government has put aside R19 billion for the development of infrastructures ahead of the World Cup, while FIFA has given the LOC a whopping R3.2 billion.

Blatter, who once again assured the audience that the 2010 FIFA World Cup is not going anywhere, told delegates: “Apart from the Soccer World Cup, there is no other sporting event that has such huge economic and financial benefits.”

He added: “FIFA is going an extra-mile to support this government and all stakeholders to ensure that this World Cup is done the African way and be a major success – something SA and Africa could be proud of.”

Later on, Blatter, Hayatou, finance deputy minister Jabu Moleketi and LOC CEO Danny Jordan flew to Cape Town to meet President Thabo Mbeki and mayor Helen Zille.

Business sectors

In her presentation on behalf of LOC, Makgabo said that football as business included, among others, sectors such as TV, digital broadcasting rights, advertising, commercial partners, merchandising, licensing, publications, marketing, hospitality and new media rights.

Apart from LOC, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), FIFA and Organised Business also made their presentations, outlining future business regulations and painting a clear picture on how things will look like in the business sphere.

On Wednesday, key milestones from the conference will be announced at closing time during a media briefing by Jordan, Government ministers and Ekurhuleni mayor Duma Nkosi.