Gert Sibande District Municipality hosts successful economic summit
An implementation action plan was developed with special focus on capacity building in leading sectors of the economy, strengthening of relationships and engagements with stakeholders and role players while exploring new opportunities in the leading economic sectors and strengthening relations.
Gert Sibande District Municipality (GSDM) hosted an Economic Development Summit at its offices recently to bolster the support of the GSDM Local Economic Development (LED) office, in order to successfully implement LED Programmes and projects at all seven local municipal level LED offices.
The summit comes as the executive mayor of GSDM, Mr Muzi Chirwa, made a commitment during his State of the District address in May to host such a gathering.
Implementation of various LED initiatives will ensure the creation of jobs, eliminate poverty and reduce the inequality gap.
The summit also took place at a time when the country faces a technical recession, unprecedented levels of labour unrest which pose serious challenges for all in the district, province and the country as a whole.
The theme for the summit was “District economic development through targeted economic sector development and support“.
Four commissions were identified in order to create a platform for delegates to deliberate pertinent issues regarding regional economic growth and development.
Focus areas for the commissions were agriculture, tourism, mining and manufacturing as they are the main economic sectors in the district.
An implementation action plan was developed with special focus on capacity building in leading sectors of the economy, strengthening of relationships and engagements with stakeholders and role players, while exploring new opportunities in the leading economic sectors.
This working document consisting of short and long term goals will address the economic challenges in the region.
