KwaZulu-Natal has reached out to the international community and has asked for greater recognition of the province’s potential as an investment haven.

Investment promotion agency Trade & Investment KwaZulu-Natalthis week hosted a successful gala dinner in Pretoria for the diplomatic corps and international stakeholders based in Gautengto strengthen KZN’s image and presence in the respective countries as well as to present trade and investment opportunities in the province.

TIKZN succeeded in showcasing KwaZulu-Natal as a world-class and viable trade and investment destinationto members of the diplomatic corps and high net worth individuals and business organisations.

KZN has long acknowledged that its contribution to national and regional development is hinged on the creation of stability and good relations with the rest of the trading world.

Thus the gala dinner served as an ideal platform for liaison with the diplomatic corps representing different nationalities as this poses plentiful opportunities for the province in terms of developmental strategies and cultural relations.

The KZN team was led by the MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, Sihle Zikalala, who is also the KZN government business leader.

Zikalala alluded to the competitive advantages of the province as a trade, investment and tourism destination.

He said these competitive advantages, including the province’s proximity to the coastline, could pale into insignificance if there were no diplomatic linkages with regional and global trade partners.
“This gathering gives us the chance to showcase many of opportunities created by the Provincial Government of KwaZulu-Natal in collaboration with its social partners in the private sector.

“We are part of the African region which, in recent years, has recorded significant economic advancements with some of the fastest growing economies located in this continent.

“KwaZulu-Natal, therefore, shares exciting ambitions of becoming the region’s economic miracle which is instigated by our belief that we could be an active agent in fulfilling the long held view of Africa as the new frontier for economic growth” said Zikalala.

Zamo Gwala, CEO of TIKZN, highlighted the manufacturing and logistics sector as one of the main contributors to the provincial GDP.

“KZN has a strong role in South Africa’s manufacturing and agriculture sectors, and has its largest port and main North-South freight corridor. Its manufacturing industry has been diverse, combining strong light and heavy industries,” said Gwala.

The dinner had representation from 77 countries and among the dignitaries present were the ambassadors of Algeria, Georgia, Argentina and Niger and High Commissioners of Jamaica, Mauritius, Singapore, Namibia and India.

ENDS

About Trade & Investment KwaZulu-Natal
Trade & Investment KwaZulu-Natal (TIKZN) is a provincial trade and investment promotion agency, developed to promote the province as an investment destination and promote trade by assisting KZN based companies to identify markets and export their products.

At the helm of the institution is the Chief Executive Officer, MrZamoGwala supported by the board of directors from the key industries in KZN. The institution also boasts highly skilled staff members mostly from the marketing, investment promotion, strategy and research as well as project management background.

Services that TIKZN offers investors:
• The facilitation of joint ventures and business linkages between small and big business.
• The provision of relevant, reliable information to investors and traders.
• Assistance with applications for investment incentives and export marketing incentives.
• Assistance to foreign investors with applications for business permits.
• Negotiation of local government incentives on behalf of investors.

Issued by:

YoginDevan
Meropa Communications
(031) 201 0550 / 083 326 3962

On behalf of:
Angel Sibisi
Trade & Investment KwaZulu-Natal