Preparations for Buffalo City Metro’s (BCM) first-ever economic growth summit are well under way, according to the metro.The event, aimed at bringing environmental sustainability and economic growth to the city, will be held at the end of this month.
A ministerial delegation is expected to include Minister of Economic Development Ebrahim Patel, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Senzeni Zokwana and Deputy Minister of Finance Mcebisi Jonas.
The executive mayor of Tshwane, Kgosientso Ramakgopa, is also expected to be present at the summit.
BCM spokesman Keith Ngesi said the objective of the summit was for the metro and its stakeholders to:
l Strategise towards a common destination;
l Be competitive and find their niché in this region and among other cities; and
l Become a well-governed city that is driven by insight and vision.
“This is a long-term vision and it goes beyond the independent development programme as the metro’s 2030 vision,” Ngesi said.
A launch meeting was held last month between BCM mayor Alfred Mtsi and local roleplayers, which included the University of Fort Hare (UFH), Border-Kei Chamber of Business (BKCOB), Nafcoc, the East London IDZ, the Eastern Cape Socio-Economic Consultative Council, the airport and Transnet.
BKCOB executive director Les Holbrook said: “We are very committed to the summit as it will give investors an opportunity to plan.”
UFH vice-chancellor Mvuyo Tom said the conference would examine how cities and universities could work together to change the socioeconomic environment.
On Wednesday, a political inter-governmental relations (IGR) meeting was held between the metro’s deputy mayor, Xolani Pakati, metro officials led by the deputy acting city manager Vincent Pillay and managers from different provincial departments.
Ngesi said the IGR session had updated political principals about the progress made.
“On Friday the metro will be meeting with 20 companies to create the hype and raise awareness as we build up to the summit.
“Next week we will start with marketing the summit in print, electronic media and outdoor advertising.”
The summit will be held under the banner of the metro’s growth development strategy on October 30 and 31 at the Regent Hotel. — arethal@dispatch.co.za
BCM readies for growth summit
The event, aimed at bringing environmental sustainability and economic growth to the city, will be held at the end of this month.
A ministerial delegation is expected to include Minister of Economic Development Ebrahim Patel, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Senzeni Zokwana and Deputy Minister of Finance Mcebisi Jonas.
The executive mayor of Tshwane, Kgosientso Ramakgopa, is also expected to be present at the summit.
BCM spokesman Keith Ngesi said the objective of the summit was for the metro and its stakeholders to:
l Strategise towards a common destination;
l Be competitive and find their niché in this region and among other cities; and
l Become a well-governed city that is driven by insight and vision.
“This is a long-term vision and it goes beyond the independent development programme as the metro’s 2030 vision,” Ngesi said.
A launch meeting was held last month between BCM mayor Alfred Mtsi and local roleplayers, which included the University of Fort Hare (UFH), Border-Kei Chamber of Business (BKCOB), Nafcoc, the East London IDZ, the Eastern Cape Socio-Economic Consultative Council, the airport and Transnet.
BKCOB executive director Les Holbrook said: “We are very committed to the summit as it will give investors an opportunity to plan.”
UFH vice-chancellor Mvuyo Tom said the conference would examine how cities and universities could work together to change the socioeconomic environment.
On Wednesday, a political inter-governmental relations (IGR) meeting was held between the metro’s deputy mayor, Xolani Pakati, metro officials led by the deputy acting city manager Vincent Pillay and managers from different provincial departments.
Ngesi said the IGR session had updated political principals about the progress made.
“On Friday the metro will be meeting with 20 companies to create the hype and raise awareness as we build up to the summit.
“Next week we will start with marketing the summit in print, electronic media and outdoor advertising.”
The summit will be held under the banner of the metro’s growth development strategy on October 30 and 31 at the Regent Hotel. — arethal@dispatch.co.za
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