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KwaZulu-Natal Premier Willies Mchunu has welcomed to the province His Excellency Zhu Xiaodan, the Governor of Guangdong Province, from the People’s Republic of China. The governor was received at the King Shaka International Airport today by the Leader of Government Business and MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs Sihle Zikalala. He is leading a government and business delegation to explore investment opportunities in KZN.

Mchunu emphasized: “Local government elections are over and it is time to focus on building a stronger KZN socially and economically. We cannot afford to disappoint those who voted in the local government elections recently as they made it loud and clear that they want jobs and a better life.”

“Our main focus as the province is to attract foreign direct investment into all corners of the province. It is for these reasons that we have invited mayors, local chambers and entrepreneurs to interact with the delegation from Guangdong, a province regarded as a global manufacturing hub.”

“It is our considered view that for South Africa to create 11 million new jobs by 2030, KwaZulu-Natal will have to create 2.1 million jobs. To achieve this, we have to ensure that the KZN economy grows at an average of at least 4% per annum between now and 2030.”

“One of the areas we are focusing on is Foreign Direct Investment. As the province we have realized that countries like India, Brazil and China have grown at a higher rate because they are benefiting from foreign direct investment while others have not been able to attract as much FDI.”

“It should be noted that few years ago we hosted the BRICS Summit which paved the way for our economy to be integrated with economies of countries in the BRICS bloc. KwaZulu-Natal is continuously learning from these countries.”

“FDI is a source for economic development, income growth and employment creation. More importantly, FDI helps create a more competitive business environment and enhances enterprise development. All of these contribute to higher economic growth, which is the most potent tool for alleviating poverty.”

Assignment Editors to note:

29 August 2016

9h00   Premier and Governor to arrive in Umgeni Meeting Room in Maharani Hotel
9h12   Start of Formal Programme by Richards Bay Industrial Development  Zone in the   Umgeni Meeting Room in Maharani Hotel
13h00   Depart from Maharani to the Dube Trade Port
14h00 Start of Presentation
14h45 Start of Site Visit of the Dube Trade Zones
15h45 Bilateral Meeting and Signing of a MoU at the Coastlands Umhlanga Hotel.

30 August 2016

9h00 Business Conference at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre.

Issued by KwaZulu-Natal Office of the Premier