Trade, investment conference to promote SA

KwaZulu-Natal Economic Affairs and Finance MEC Zweli Mkhize said the conference will provide a wonderful stage for the widespread and high profile promotion of South Africa as a premier business investment destination and a leader in export trade.

"I'm assured that KwaZulu-Natal will remain unwaveringly committed to the ideal of promoting trade and investment as a vehicle to launch a concerted and sustained attack on poverty, bringing in its wake socio-economic relief to our people," Mkhize said.

According to Chief Executive of Trade and Industry KwaZulu-Natal Zama Gwala, the event will bring together foreign and local investors, public and private sector officials as well as academics to discuss a variety of issues.

"It is thus regarded as an essential marketing tool for economic growth and development of the country's small business sector," Gwala said. "Importantly, it will also provide an ideal opportunity for South African organisations and their international counterparts to form relationships and business alliances with key global role players."

This conference and exhibition, he said, "aims to transform South Africa into a must visit destination for prospective investors and traders around the world".

The event has the firm backing of government and the support of investment promotion agencies and municipalities around South Africa.

Gwala announced that a strong partnership has also been forged with the University of KwaZulu-Natal's Graduate School of Business (GSB), which seeks to go beyond academic confines and contribute to other initiatives aimed at promoting South Africa.

The GSB will mobilise experienced academics that are specialists in business and economic discourse to present relevant research on trade and investment at the conference.

The key sectors to be targeted at the conference are mining and minerals, financial services, automotive sector, bio-fuels, tourism, agri-business, pharmaceuticals, maritime, transport and logistics and the information communications technology.

The theme for this year's conference is, "Develop, Facilitate, Grow". This embodies and includes the work of South African investment promotion agencies, which develop and facilitate investment growth in the economy.

The programme for the 29 and 30 October will consist of plenary sessions in the morning, followed by specific sector breakaway sections.

The breakaway sessions will include speakers from government, private sector and academic case studies.

Extensive business to business (B2B) meetings for interested international buyers and investors and local buyers and investors are to be a key feature of the conference.

Content for business presentations will be based on practical business opportunities, funding, trade agreements and incentive schemes.

Packaged projects from municipalities around South Africa will be presented. The focus will be on ensuring investors will be able to access the projects.

The third day (31 October 2007) will entail presentations by each of South Africa's provinces aimed at providing highlights and advantages of investing in and trading with their province.

The presentations will run parallel to each other and will be held in individual rooms.

"All delegates are encouraged to attend a presentation of their choice in order to obtain more information about the province they are interested to invest in," said the department.

Presentations will not only cover opportunities, but will also look at other areas of interest to investors such as lifestyle issues, facilities, infrastructure and other investor support services offered.

Social and networking events will include a gala dinner on the first evening and a cultural music concert on the event's last evening.

Article published courtesy of BuaNews