Chikunga wooing European maritime investors for SA oceans
The Deputy Transport minister, Sindisiwe Chikunga, hosted an investment seminar in London on Tuesday to promote investment in South Africa's multi-billion rand oceans economy, where she announced that South Africa's 2030 National Development Plan (NDP)'s aim was to grow the country's economy in a manner that eliminated poverty and reduced unemployment.
The seminar, Oceans Economy Investment Seminar was part of Operation Phakisa - an initiative focused on driving the economic potential of the country's oceans. The seminar welcomed Europe-based investors who were looking towards investment in South Africa, and particularly investing in maritime related interests.
From ship builders, to maritime transporters, import and export business, to all maritime related investors, the seminar showed South Africa's true potential as a maritime nation. Presentations were delivered by Chikunga, High Commissioner Obed Mlaba, South African Oil and Gas Alliances' Ebrahim Tokalia, head of Operation Phakisa in the presidency, Ismail Akhalwaya and Transnet's Richard Vallihu. The British special envoy for trade to South Africa, Baroness Patricia Scotland also attended and presented at the seminar hosted by the Chikunga.
Chikunga was also present last week at the International Maritime Organisation special plenary session, followed by visits to harbors and Ports in England, including Plymouth, South Coast of Devon England, and held various stakeholder meetings with maritime business and organisations which finally ended with the intensive one day seminar.
Economic potential of SA's oceans
South Africa is situated on one of the busiest international sea routes that is very critical to international maritime transportation. Our geographical location presents a huge opportunity for investing in a diversified maritime market, Chikunga pointed out in her speech at the seminar. Research has shown that SA's oceans economy had the potential to contribute up to 9.8 billion pounds (R189 billion) to South Africa's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and create about a million jobs.
Part of the purpose of Chikunga's London visit was to share information on the recent developments South Africa achieved in growing our oceans economy. "We need potential partners on a win-win basis to support South Africa's oceans economy strategy. We extend an open invitation to investors to visit South Africa to further explore vast investment opportunities," she said.
Source: DM Speech and additional coverage from Cape Times newspaper on July 8, 2015
All seminar presentations delivered yesterday can be found on Fbi. Pictures are also available on the site.
