Dueban - KwaZulu-Natal Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube has met Dr Motumisi Tawana, the South African consul general in New York, to discuss unlocking economic opportunities and leveraging the existing trade ties South Africa has with the US.
The engagement was also attended by the KZN MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, Siboniso Duma, the provincial government said in a statement yesterday (Sunday).
The premier said constructive discussions were held on Friday with the consul general on interventions earmarked to accelerate economic growth and the development of KwaZulu-Natal through employment creation, sustainable development and empowerment initiatives to support entrepreneurs.
“We have previously held meetings with business people and investors at the South African Embassy in the US to showcase the KwaZulu-Natal Investment Book as well as to reinforce our province’s position as an attractive business, investment, and tourism destination,” Dube-Ncube said.
She added that the visit was a continuation of the provincial government’s approach of engaging with the international business community while leveraging the good relations and partnerships that the South African consulate-general has with US-based businesses and investors.
“The key areas we are focusing on include trade, commerce, education (such as student exchange programmes), agriculture, health, information technology, energy generation, arts and culture.”
She said she and Duma also interacted with the Ambassador Professor Anil Sooklal, Ambassador at Large for Asia and BRICS, to discuss the KwaZulu-Natal provincial government’s participation next year when South Africa hosts the BRICS 2023 Summit.
She noted that South Africa, as the incoming BRICS chair for 2023, hosted the BRICS Ministers of Foreign Affairs and International Relations Meeting, in New York, on the margins of the UN General Assembly (UNGA77) taking place at the UN headquarters.
The provincial government said
Tawana reassured Dube-Ncube that his office would facilitate linkages between KwaZulu-Natal and US-based investors and businesses.
“This will be in line with our mandate to promote South Africa’s interests, trade relations and foster relations within the consulate’s area of jurisdiction,” Tawana said.