Say cheese! Here come the Swiss
The wheels are in motion for Ilembe district municipality to benefit from a partnership with the state secretariat for economic affairs (SECO) of the Swiss Confederation.
Ilembe and two of its local municipalities, KwaDukuza and Mandeni, entered into the partnership earlier this year with the aim of receiving local economic development (LED) support from Switzerland (‘Ilembe to benefit from Swiss partnership’, Courier, June 6).
A SECO delegation visited Ilembe on September 4 to put the finishing touches to the partnership, worth millions of Swiss Francs.
The delegation visited LED projects in KwaDukuza and Mandeni.
SECO head of operations for the economic development co-operation directorate Ivo Germann said Ilembe was chosen because it is a prime example of a centre of economic growth.
“Even after the economic downfall, Ilembe had the sharpest recovery and overcame the crisis. It was able to stand up again and be part of sustaining growth in the country. In Ilembe, we do not have to look for growth or create it,” he said.
He said SECO would contribute 7,5 million Swiss Francs.
Germann confirmed SECO would make a contribution valued at 7, 5 Million Swiss Francs (R80m).
Ilembe deputy mayor Dolly Shandu thanked SECO for its willingness to work with Ilembe.
“We hope this co-operation will go beyond the initial four years.”
