The City of Matlosana in the North West Province hosted a Global Investors Conference from 22-24 September 2008 to highlight investment opportunities in the province to local and international delegates and guests. The conference was a resounding success for the region, and an ideal opportunity for municipalities and large and small businesses, to promote themselves and the province.
The success of the Global Investors Conference can be measured on three levels:
Exhibitors
Exhibitors at the GIC included a wide range of industry players from both the public and private sectors within the North West province. Two district municipalities were on show, as well as seven local municipalities, displaying the region at a local government level to interested delegates. There were also as many as 43 corporate and government parastatal exhibitors, illustrating the importance of the event to the private sector, and 29 small, medium and micro enterprise (SMME) stands on display. This range of exhibitors ensured that delegates found something of interest, and showed off the diversity of the provincial economy and the opportunities that exist within it.
Speakers and coverage
The conference was well attended by politicians, business leaders and various other industry leaders from the province. The conference's 16 speakers included high profile politicians and discussed the provincial economic climate, opportunities for exporters and incentives on offer to investors and developers. The conference attracted an average of 159 delegates per day and received local and national media coverage on North West FM and SABC Radio, as well as in 19 local and 16 national print media publications.
Real results
The GIC has undoubtedly put the City of Matlosana and Klerksdorp on the investment map. As a direct result of the conference R3-billion worth of MOUs were signed, setting the province up for future investment and business. Across the board - accommodation, food and beverages, local events companies, booking agents - responders reported marked increases in business and sales as a result of their displays at the exhibition. 31 projects and SMMEs got income and experience out of the event, and were able to forge long-lasting relationships with other business people through the one-on-one business matching meetings and other networking opportunities.
From the event:
Mayor of the City of Matlosana, Mr TS Dodovu, welcomed delegates to the conference with these words:
'I am pleased to give the assurance that the City of Matlosana remains unwaveringly committed to the ideal of promoting trade and investment as a vehicle to launch a concerted and sustained attack on poverty, bringing in its wake socio-economic relief to our people.'
For more about the City of Matlosana, click here
For more information on the Global Investors Conference, or to find out more about opportunities in Klerksdorp and the City of Matlosana:
Contact: Ms Sandy Botha
Email: sbotha@klerksdorp.org
Tel: +27 18 487 9600
