2010 conference ends on high note

“We are satisfied about the outcome of this conference and we believe that it is a positive step in the right direction towards working for a solid economic sustainability related to the 2010 FIFA World Cup,” Local Organising Committee (LOC) CEO Danny Jordan told journalists on the sidelines of the conference.

“One thing we have to take account is that South Africa is a developing country, so the pressure is on us to prove that we can deliver the goods.

“But even though we are a developing country, there is no excuse whatsoever when it comes to fulfilling the requirements to deliver the best infrastructures needed for the world cup,” Jordan stressed.

Everyone to benefit

Furthermore, he said that efforts should be made to ensure that a favourable environment is created where everyone, including the SMMEs, benefited from the billions being spent to host this competition.

The last developing country to host the world cup was Mexico in 1986.

Iqbal Meer Sharma, deputy director-general of the Department of Trade and Industry, said: “I am sure we are all aware that doubts have been raised about us delivering a good product. But I have to assure you that with the collaboration of everyone, including government, FIFA and its affiliates, business and ordinary citizens, we will deliver a super product.

“This conference should serve as a catalyst, sort of an initial step towards walking a long way and crossing various roads. In the next few weeks we will roll out a wave of national roadshows to create awareness about the economic benefits of the World Cup.”

Earlier on, business delegates were divided into seven commissions or groups – construction, hospitality and catering, transport, security, IT, retail and wholesale, and health – in the aim to deliberate on challenges and other various problems they are facing in their different areas of operation.

Help with difficulties

LOC spokesperson Tumi Makgabo told Bizcommunity.com: “Whatever comes out of these deliberations are vital in the sense that they will indicate where their shortcomings are so that big businesses or Government could help them deal with their difficulties.”

Lastly, Makgabo said that conferences of such nature will also be held in other host cities [Cape Town, Port-Elizabeth, Bloemfontein, Nelspruit, Polokwane, Durban, Pretoria and Rustenburg] to give a chance to other business hopefuls because ‘not everyone has the means to come to Ekurhuleni”.