Mpumalanga is open for business
"Mpumalanga is open to new partnerships for economic growth and prosperity that will trickle down to the poorest of the poor," says Economic development and tourism MEC Sikhumbuzo Eric Kholwane
MBOMBELA – The inaugural Mpumalanga Investor Conference (MIC) last week was a huge success. The Mpumalanga Economic Growth Agency (MEGA) in partnership with the provincial government hosted the three-day conference at the Protea Hotel Marriott at Kruger Gate in the Kruger National Park (KNP).
Economic development and tourism MEC Sikhumbuzo Eric Kholwane opened the conference last Tuesday. He said he had great faith that the MIC would restore confidence in the local economy.
“Our economy is facing the biggest challenges in many years due to a multiplicity of unfavourable domestic and international developments,” he said.
He set out his grand plan, the Mpumalanga Vision 2030, a framework for accelerated socio-economic transformation and inclusive growth.
As a part thereof, industrial centres of competence are to be set up, with the aim of stimulating economic growth through diversification and specialisation of key economic sectors.
“Mpumalanga is open to new partnerships for economic growth and prosperity that will trickle down to the poorest of the poor. We offer a strategic location in the world market and in the South African economy in particular, with modern infrastructure and innovative technology.
“We have a large and diverse portfolio of investment projects in infrastructure, agriculture, mining, tourism, manufacturing, and property development. We offer an ideal climate and topography for forests and major mineral resources.
“Tourism is one of the key drivers of economic growth and job creation in South Africa, and in our province. It is estimated that Mpumalanga attracts over one million tourists a year to the natural wonder of the Bourke’s Luck Potholes, God’s Window, the Blyde River Canyon, and the bordering world-famous KNP.
“As part of the expansion plans for these ecotourism sites, our public entities – the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA) and MEGA – seek investors to build an exclusive five-star hotel and top-quality restaurant located at the Bourke’s Luck Potholes on the Highveld part of Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve.
Kholwane concluded by assuring those attending that their investments would be safe in the province. “I hope this is a beginning of our fruitful and successful relationship.”
