KwaZulu-Natal
South Africa
Sector
Trade and Investment KwaZulu-Natal (TIKZN) in partnership with Tourism KwaZulu-Natal (TKZN) and Inkosi Albert Luthuli Convention Centre (ICC) participated in a trade and tourism promotion visit to Nigeria and Ghana from 18-25 July 2009.
This tour was part of a greater strategy by the province of KwaZulu-Natal to build strong trade links with other sister countries to the African continent and work together in order to strengthen the African economy.
The objectives of the mission included increasing trade between KwaZulu-Natal and Nigeria and KwaZulu-Natal and Ghana; increasing travel from Nigeria and Ghana to KwaZulu-Natal; showcasing and increasing awareness of the strengths of KwaZulu-Natal as a business and tourist destination and lastly highlighting Durban as a conference destination, with emphasis on the Inkosi Albert Luthuli Convention Centre.
“The delegation will participate in business events, one-on-one meetings and site visits”, said Donny Pethan, GM: Export Development and Promotion Unit, Trade and Investment KZN. “We will be informing the biggest West African market of tourism, trade and investment opportunities emanating from KwaZulu-Natal”, he added.
“This mission will assist in gathering market intelligence to inform the proposed mission into Nigeria and Ghana later this year”, said Zamo Gwala, Chief Executive Officer, Trade and Investment KZN.
“This will be a private sector delegation together with provincial stakeholders meeting with specific industries, chambers of commerce and public entities with the purposes of establishing sustainable economic linkages”, added Gwala.
The cities of Durban and Lagos in Nigeria are part of seven African cities selected by the United Nations to drive NEPAD developmental objectives in local government. Furthermore, 2009 marks the 10th Anniversary of the Nigeria/South Africa Bi-National Commission, a
multi-sectoral co-operation between the two countries.
In respect of Ghana, there are existing business ties between South Africa and Ghana under the framework of the Permanent Joint Commission for Co-operation which highlights trade, investment, tourism and mining as strong areas for collaboration.
Through this co-operation, Ghana encouraged South Africa to take advantage of opportunities in the agri-business and agro-processing industries.
For more information about the delegation, or future missions from KwaZulu-Natal, contact Trade & Investment KZN directly:
Contact: Analeah Royeppen: Communications Officer
Email: analeah@tikzn.co.za
Tel: +27 31 368 9600
Fax:
+27 86 500 9862
