This is the crux of the Air Cargo Africa 2015 Biennial International Conference and Exhibition, which is being held at Emperors Palace this week.
According to the mayor, Mondli Gungubele, who opened the conference on Wednesday, hosting Air Cargo Africa 2015 is not just an event, but an expression of the image of Ekurhuleni as an airport city.
In his welcoming address the mayor sounded optimistic that that the conference will bring transformation to the African continent.
“African countries do not trade sufficiently among one another, however it is through such conferences that African countries forge trade with one another to develop the continent’s economy.
“As a city we thank Air cargo Africa 2015 because without air cargo the dream to increase the potential trade in Africa cannot be realised,” he said.
“We, as an aerotropolis, have a high developmental agenda that is set to turn the tide of poverty and underdevelopment for the majority of our people. Indeed, the development will translate into a node that will redefine the future of aviation in Africa.
“The future of Ekurhuleni, as a major player in the economic growth of the Gauteng City Region and the country, looks extremely bright.
“We have played our part over the years to become known as the manufacturing hub, but it does not end there; we are determined to do more and have put in place plans to achieve this.
“However, as government, we can do only so much, hence the need for business and other stakeholders to come on board.”
The event serves as a key networking platform for leaders in the air cargo industry to assess the growing prospects of the African market.
OR Tambo International Airport general manager Bongiwe Pityi said: “Due to a combination of sufficient cargo capacity, strategic location, high levels of connectivity, accessibility to major routes and world-class infrastructure, OR Tambo International is a cargo and logistics super site.”
Acting South African Airways CEO Nico Bezuidenhout highlighted air cargo as being Africa’s path to sustainable growth.
“This conference helps to showcase Africa’s air cargo potential on a global scale and provides a platform for the players from different sectors of the industry to meet and discuss trade opportunities,” he said.
“In its past two editions, held in Nairobi and Johannesburg, the exhibition has seen participation from major airlines and airports, especially from Africa.
“Again, this conference is attracting logistics and transport players from the rest of Africa and around the world.”
Group editor-in-chief for STAT Media Groups, RK Patra, said the world has gathered at Emperors Palace with an insatiable appetite for this continent’s untapped natural resources – its vast supplies of minerals and, of course, the ever increasing demand for consumer goods.
“Airlines and freight companies know all too well that the potential in Africa is under-utilised; these companies now see Africa as a new pasture,” he added.
Bezuidenhout said that a continent which is about 20 per cent of the surface area in the world and holds 15 per cent of the total global population is certain to attract a great interest.
“It was once underdeveloped, but is now developing, so the opportunities for business and trade are phenomenal,” he explained.
After the endorsed opening of the conference, delegates in the air cargo fraternity held the first round table deliberation focusing on the key trials and opportunities to accelerate the African air cargo value chain.
The deliberations will continue to the last day on Friday, ending with a discussion of an overview of the African market conference. The air cargo trade leaders will address the untapped potential for trade and business, so that the world can see Africa as a window of opportunities. – @NalediBoksburg
