Tue, 27 Sep 2011 16:00

What is Durban Invest?

The Durban Business Enhancement Initiative "Durban Invest" is a business development initiative; created by the private business fraternity to leverage the organisational capacity of the private and public sector with the intention to facilitate growth, activity and sustainability in the various target sectors and areas of the local economy.

Established in 2009, the Initiative further wishes to enhance the cooperation between all business stakeholders and business formations in ensuring that sufficient support programmes are in place for the business sector in the City.

Durban Invest differentiates itself from existing business formations and development agencies by being in existence for business; by business and implementing measurable interventions that will combine the influence; expertise and connectivity of local business; both large and small; to effectively drive a vibrant economy and delivery on the long term objectives of business success for Durban and the region.

Our approach is based on bringing people, business and partnerships together to unleash the economic potential of Durban.

We are focused on avoiding a duplication of existing programmes; however we will work closely with a number of key agencies and organisations to ensure an inclusive and supportive approach to the implementation of long-term deliverables for the eThekwini region.

Durban
Durban's success as a Soccer World Cup city in 2010 has helped raise the image of this dynamic and growing city. It is an industrial hub with the busiest port in Africa. It is home to more than three million people of many different linguistic and ethnic backgrounds. Durban is KwaZulu-Natal's largest urban settlement where retail, commerce and industry are well developed.

In 2009 the city announced a growth rate of 7.8%. Durban is administered by the eThekwini Municipality, the only metropolitan authority in the province.

The Port of Durban handles more than a million containers every year. The multi-billion-rand King Shaka International Airport is expected to boost tourist numbers and import and export volumes. The associated Dube TradePort will strengthen the city's already good position in the logistics and transport sector.

The Moses Mabhida Stadium will form part of any future bid made by the city for multi-sports events such as the Commonwealth Games.

Durban is famous for its ability to host big sporting events such as the Durban July horse race and the Comrades Marathon. Major manufacturing concerns in the city are mostly located in the south: two oil refineries, the manufacturing plant of Toyota motor vehicles, downstream processing facilities for the sugar and timber industries, a brewery and food and beverages production plants. Packaging, footwear, carpets, plastics, chemicals and paper are among the industries represented in greater Durban.

The conference and events sector has become a major contributor to the local economy, particularly through major conferences being held at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre. This includes the country's most important tourism industry exhibition, Indaba.

For more information about investing in Durban, contact:

Durban Invest
T: +27 31 336 2676
F: +27 86 6389380
E: info@durbaninvest.co.za

Physical address:
26th Floor, Old Mutual Centre,
303 Dr Pixley kaSeme Street (West Street),
Durban, 4001

Postal address:
P.O Box 3286,
Durban, 4000

Website: http://www.durbaninvest.co.za