WATCH: Minister of Finance visits Durban projects that drive inclusive growth
SA Finance Minister, Mr Malusi Gigaba, accompanied by a high level South African delegation is currently on a media tour of Durban ahead of the opening of the World Economic Forum conference which starts on Wednesday, 3 May at the ICC.
SOUTH Africa’s Finance Minister, Mr Malusi Gigaba, accompanied by a high level South African delegation is currently on a media tour of Durban, to experience the work that has been done to drive inclusive growth, ahead of the World Economic Forum on Africa conference which starts at the ICC in Durban tomorrow, 3 May and ends on 5 May.
The tour will highlight projects that address South Africa’s approach to inclusive economic growth, by showcasing South Africa as an attractive, innovative and competitive investment destination, while displaying uniquely South African attributes that build the nation brand. Journalists are being introduced to unique aspects in the province which include technological innovations, infrastructure capabilities and manufacturing capabilities.
The tour includes a profiling of the Durban City’s Inner City Project which aims to restore the inner city to its former glory and attract businesses and economic growth back to the area, a visit to the Dube Trade Port, a business entity of the KZN provincial government, charged with the responsibility to develop the biggest infrastructural project.
“South Africa needs accelerated inclusive growth. We need to change the ownership patterns of the economy, to create new assets and wealth and to do that we need to find areas where there is potential for new growth. that’s what programmes like the Dube Trade Port, Bridge City and Union Station project is trying to do. The National Treasury is working with municipalities to expand these programmes across the country,” he said.
In addressing the media and delegates this morning, inclusive economic growth was the buzz word as the minister explained that government wanted local blacks to have stakes in the developments happening in townships/ rural areas and informal settlements. He said government did not only want to create employment opportunities for the people, but to unleash their enterprise spirits.
Gigaba said a collective effort was required to ensure inclusive growth. He said people had to act together in partnership with one another to seize the best opportunities to grow together inclusively on a sustained basis and lift themselves out of poverty.
