A two-member delegation from Germany visited KwaZulu-Natal to identify investment opportunities in the province for a high-level business delegation that they intend on leading to KwaZulu-Natal during the latter part of 2009.
The two officials from German-African Business Association, Afrika-Verein, are Mr. Andreas Wenzel; Regional Manager Southern Africa: Afrika-Verein (Hamburg, Germany) and Mr. Heinz Hoehmann; Resident Representative for SADC Countries.
The delegation was hosted by Trade and Investment KZN (TIKZN) who presented their full basket of investment opportunities per sector and export trade activities. Other stakeholders who took part in this fact finding mission are the Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Hire Intelligence, eLan Group, SA Shipyards, eThekwini Municipality and Trade Point SA, Durban.
All the local participants expressed a keen interest in working with TIKZN and Afrika-Verein to organise an inward bound mission. The province is stepping up its game in aggressive investment marketing and visitation programmes by foreign delegates to experience what KwaZulu-Natal has to offer.
“Other markets are looking into Africa as a land of opportunities, especially in relation to the current economic crisis. The interest of and understanding by German businesses of doing business in Africa is inspiring and we at Afrika-Verein are geared to assist other business set ups in this region”, said Andreas Wenzel, Afrika-Verein.
“The two organisations have an established relationship which is cemented by a Memorandum of Understanding whose spirit is to co-operate with one another”, said Zamo Gwala, Chief Executive Officer, Trade and Investment KZN.
Members of the forthcoming delegation will then be introduced through relevant business to business matchmaking meetings to encourage potential business opportunities in South Africa. The visitation will include meeting local companies, joint venture partners and financial and government support services in the three provinces.
For more information about Trade & Investment KZN:
Contact: Perusha Naicker
Position: Communications Officer, TIKZN
Tel: +27 31 368 9600
Email: perusha@tikzn.co.za
