City hosts Township and Rural Investment Imbizo
Township and rural economic development in eThekwini is set to receive new impetus as part of the municipality's economic recovery plan and need to spawn additional employment opportunities.
A Township and Rural Investment Summit is to be held on December 2, to provide the thrust necessary for expanding investment promotion into the townships and rural areas surrounding Durban.
The summit, the brainchild of eThekwini Municipality’s Economic Development and Planning Cluster, is to be held at Max’s Lifestyle Conference Center in Mbe Road, Umlazi, on the city’s fringes between 08:00 and 17:00.
Commenting on the importance of the event, Deputy City Manager Mr Phillip Sithole, of the Development and Planning Cluster, said: “Township economies are becoming areas of increasing importance and keen focus across South Africa. eThekwini Municipality is intent on creating an enabling environment capable of promoting improved enterprise development and the formalisation of its townships economy.”
He added: “We are equally intent on promoting the rich economic potential of rural regions within the municipal area, bringing investment, recreational and service nodes to under-resourced areas, thus empowering communities and improving the quality of life here.”
It is envisaged that the summit will attract potential investors, financiers, corporate organisations and various tiers of government and associated agencies, together with prospective entrepreneurs giving fresh momentum to township and rural economic development plans.
“The objective is to discuss the strategic approaches required for the development of and investment in both the city’s formal township and rural economies.”
“The Summit is geared to showcase emergent business investment opportunities in both townships and surrounding rural areas within the broad municipal area, providing a platform for reviewing and considering prevailing challenges, and exploring recommendations to remedy concerns,” Mr Sithole said.
