Date: 14/11/2003
Source: Western Cape Provincial Government
Title: Van Schalkwyk: Opening of Western Cape Growth and
Development Summit
SPEECH BY WESTERN CAPE PREMIER, MARTHINUS VAN SCHALKWYK, WELCOMING
DELEGATES AND OFFICIALLY OPENING THE WESTERN CAPE PROVINCIAL GROWTH
AND DEVELOPMENT SUMMIT, VIA SATELLITE LINK FROM AMSTERDAM, 14
NOVEMBER 2003
Growth and Development in the Western Cape: Negotiating a Social
Accord
Introduction
Good morning to you from a bitterly cold Amsterdam where I am this
morning visiting our Partner Convention Centre. It is both my great
pleasure and honour to welcome you all to our Western Cape
Provincial Growth and Development Summit.
Let no-one doubt the importance of this event. Far more than a
conference or a workshop, this summit may well be the birthplace of
a new social accord.
Today we bring together the four pillars of strength in the Western
Cape - business, civil society, labour and government - all
representing our greatest provincial asset - our people. Today we
create a lasting legacy of growth and development for all our
people - together.
Namhlanje sizisondeza ndawonye iintsika ezine ezimandla eNtshona
Koloni - ushishino, uluntu ngokubanzi, abasebenzi kunye
norhulumente - onke la maqela ingamaqela eli phondo - amele bonke
abantu bethu. Namhlanje ke senza ilifa lanaphakade lentlumo
nophuhliso, sisenzela bonke abantu - sikunye.
Western Cape - Global Force:
On Wednesday I met with investors and international tourism
role-players in London. Last night I addressed 120 business leaders
in Rotterdam with a keen interest in the Western Cape as part of
the Netherlands/SA Week. This afternoon I will meet with the
Swiss-SA Business Chamber in Zurich and on Monday our Western Cape
Minister for Health and senior officials will join me in holding
bilaterals with the Global Fund for Aids who are in the final
process of approving more than R465 million for the fight against
HIV/Aids in the Western Cape.
The message from international business leaders to me and to our
Provincial Government is clear. They believe there are 2 critical
requirements to attract investment and growth. These are:
Firstly, stability - that is political, social and economic
stability; and Secondly, predictability in macro-economic and other
government policies.
Sonder dat hulle daarvan bewus is, het hierdie sakemanne en -vroue
ons Provinsiale Spitsberaad vir Groei en Ontwikkeling van 'n
gepaste vertrekpunt voorsien: die mees basiese verwagtinge van die
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