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Polity
Published: 14 Nov 2003
Van Schalkwyk: Opening of Western Cape Growth and Development Summit (14/11/2003)
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 w