Sihle Zikalala - MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs:WEF Africa to be held in Durban RSS Sihle Zikalala - MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs:WEF Africa to be held in Durban2017-02-14 Mr Sihle Zikalala, MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, recently announced that the World Economic Forum (WEF) Africa will be hosted over three days in Durban from 3-5 May, 2017.
He said that province of KwaZulu-Natal has lobbied for WEF Africa to come to Durban because of the events immense potential to enhance the brand equity of both the City and KwaZulu-Natal. MEC Zikalala said that the province will be hosting the upcoming edition of WEF Africa on behalf of South Africa. At the national government level, Treasury, working closely with the Presidency, is leading South Africa. “As such, we are the host province and Durban is the host city.†The estimated direct impact of hosting this event on KwaZulu-Natal will be at least R64mn, with a total impact of some R155 million. The estimated job years that will be sustained or generated as a result of this ground-breaking event will be at least 512. In order to give the event a distinctly KwaZulu-Natal feel, a build-up programme whose aim is to create awareness and hype around the event will be hosted. The aim of this programme is also to ensure that local stakeholders are able to participate and, to a certain extent, provide input into the WEF Africa programme. The actual details and shape of the activation programme will be unveiled after it has been presented and endorsed by relevant stakeholders, including the provincial executive council and partner departments who will cohost this event. The indirect impacts would of course be due to expenditure of participants and promoters of conventions and the job creation opportunities that come about. The direct impact of business events in KwaZulu-Natal alone for this financial year is expected to be as much as R450 million with a total macro-economic impact of about R1bn. MEC Zikalala firmly believes Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, and South Africa are ready to take WEF Africa to new heights both in terms of logistical arrangements but also in terms of the content and the outcomes of this important gathering. For more information please contact Siyabonga Maphumulo T: 082 330 5132 http://www.kznedtea.gov.za/ |
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