Mpho Moloi | 14 November 2024
Deputy President Paul Mashatile is set to deliver the keynote address at the Knysna Regional 2024 Investment Conference in the Western Cape on Friday. This significant event, scheduled for 15 November 2024, will be held at the Premier Hotel in Knysna.
The conference is a collaborative effort involving the Greater Knysna Business Chamber, the Knysna Municipality, the Yona Yethu Initiative, and the Garden Route District Municipality. It aims to position Knysna and the broader Garden Route as prime investment destinations within the Western Cape and South Africa.
Under the theme “Investments through Skills and Capacity Building in the Broader Region,” the conference will focus on several key areas:
1. Economic Development for SMMEs: Addressing challenges at the intersection of land development and environmental conservation to unlock opportunities for small, medium, and micro enterprises (SMMEs).
2. Investment Promotion: Showcasing diverse investment opportunities across critical sectors such as agriculture, renewable energy, and infrastructure to stimulate the local economy.
3. Collaboration and Networking: Facilitating meaningful networking opportunities among delegates from government, NGOs, and the private sector to support SMME growth and investment initiatives.
4. Skills Development and Training: Emphasizing the need for skills development in education, communication, and information technology to equip local communities for a changing economy.
5. Key Economic Sectors: Promoting sustainable development through investment packages aimed at sectors including agriculture, arts and culture, renewable energy, and the ocean economy.
The conference will attract delegates from various industries, including tourism, telecommunications, logistics, finance, and the food and beverage sectors. A significant focus will be on economic development and opportunities for SMMEs, recognized as a critical force in addressing economic challenges such as poverty and unemployment.
Deputy President Mashatile will provide updates on government-led investment drives, including Operation Vulindlela—a joint initiative by the Presidency and National Treasury aimed at accelerating structural reforms and supporting economic recovery. This initiative seeks to modernize and transform network and infrastructure industries, including electricity, water, transport, and digital communications, to improve living conditions.
Accompanying the Deputy President will be Deputy Minister of Higher Education Dr. Mimmy Gondwe, Deputy Minister of Finance Ashor Sarupen, and Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment Narend Singh. Also in attendance will be Garden Route District Municipality Executive Mayor Andrew Stroebel and Knysna Local Municipality Executive Mayor Aubrey Ndoda Tsengwa.
The Greater Knysna Business Chamber is committed to fostering active citizenry and economic growth through collaboration between public and private sectors. Their mission is to create a thriving business environment that benefits all residents of Knysna.
‘Disclaimer - The views expressed here are not necessarily those of the BEE CHAMBER’.