MEDIA STATEMENT
To: All Media/ News Editors
13 August 2021
DIPLOMATS CONFIDENT IN KWAZULU-NATAL AFTER PREMIER ZIKALALA’s SUCCESSFUL TWO-DAY ENGAGEMENT
The KwaZulu-Natal economy has received a much-needed shot-in-the-arm after international diplomats representing 40 countries committed to retain investment in the province, and even pledged new investment in the future.
This follows a series of strategic engagements held in Gauteng by Premier Sihle Zikalala over the past two days,aimed at retaining and attracting investment opportunities into the province.
This is a welcome boost for KZN and an overwhelming vote of confidence in the economic fundamentals which define the province as a conducive and favourite investment destination.
As part of the rebuilding process embarked on by the province, Premier Zikalala’s delegation which included MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison Ms NeliswaPeggy Nkonyeni, MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs Mr Ravi Pillay and MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development Ms Bongi Sithole-Moloi, CEOs of public entities and Heads of Departments spent the past two days in meetings with Ambassadors, High Commissioners and Trade Delegations.
From the crack of dawn today, Premier Zikalala and his delegation have been locked in back-to- back meetings with diplomats from Singapore, Denmark, Turkey, Brazil, Egypt, Netherlands and Germany.
The discussions are centred around trade and investment opportunities in various sectors including agriculture, education, mining, health and education.
Yesterday, the Premier and his delegation met representatives of countries such as Japan, the Republic of South Korea, Mauritius, the United Kingdom, Australia and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Last night, the Premier Zikalala hosted a successful gala dinner in Pretoria for the diplomatic corps and international stakeholders from over 40 countries.
The envoys come from all corners of the globe, and between them represent more than 50% of the province’s international investment.
The overarching message delivered by Premier Zikalala was that ‘KZN is Open for Business’, ‘KZN is rising’ from the ashes of the recent destruction even stronger.
The engagement appraised the international community of the safety and security of their citizens and investments in KZN and aimed to sell the basket of investment and business opportunities in the province.
It was also to remind them of KZN’s value proposition as an attractive tourism destination that is second to none not only in Africa but in the world.
Addressing the international delegates last night, Premier Zikalala said:
“Following the unrest, KwaZulu-Natal took just days to reopen for business, to clean up and to press forward. We invite you to work with us, invest with us, reap the enormous benefits that will flow out of this season of hope.
We have intensified our efforts in KwaZulu-Natal through building strong social cohesion, advance peace, and promote moral regeneration. We are working with the religious leaders, traditional leaders, civil society organisations and business to address the root causes of the unrest and violence”.
Premier Zikalala said the pillars of the provincial economic recovery in the aftermath of both Covid-19 and the civil unrest include the following:
Restoration of Law and order and enforcement of property rights - we will not compromise on this;
Achieving stability, peace and tranquillity – we have gone back to normality right now, but we are working together with all stakeholders to ensure that we build social cohesion and have that social compacting and educate our people to take responsibility and to be in charge of their localities and to provide strong leadership;
Providing a climate conducive for rebuilding and investment in this regard we are working with affected companies to ensure they receive incentives and receive support to recover and get back to operations;
Devising strategies to detect and deter future unrests so that we are not caught unprepared in future;
Attaining commonality of purpose and social compacting to derive long lasting solutions of dealing with the causal factors;
At the centre of the recovery plan, is a coordinated approach that seeks to ensure that the economy can rebound. We acknowledge that our biggest failure was our inability to have a coordinated and swift response in our approach. We acknowledge that it took time to respond to the unrest, but we are saying we have learned and never again shall that happen.
“We are improving communication and ensuring visible leadership throughout KwaZulu-Natal. Our programme is focusing on citizen’s health and wellbeing, securing food stability, providing capital, and liquidity, and credit to our residents and entrepreneurs,” said Premier Zikalala.
KwaZulu-Natal through the official investment promotion agency, Trade & Investment KwaZulu-Natal, has showcased the province as a world-class and viable trade and investment destination to members of the diplomatic corps, high net worth individuals and business organisations.
KwaZulu-Natal has long acknowledged that its contribution to national and regional development hinges on the creation of stability and good relations with the rest of the trading world.The gala dinner served as an ideal platform for forging stronger relations with the diplomatic corps, addressing their concerns and presenting investment opportunities the province has to offer.
ENDS
Issued by the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government
For more enquiries,
contact Provincial Government Spokesperson,
Mr Lennox Mabaso on 082 884 2403
or Ms Gugu Sisilana on 082 889 3474