KwaZulu-Natal Premier Willies Mchunu. Picture: Supplied KwaZulu-Natal Premier Willies Mchunu. Picture: Supplied
Durban - KwaZulu-Natal was open for international investment opportunities, especially focusing on renewable energy, tourism and industrial development, Premier Willies Mchunu told representatives of European governments yesterday.
He told the ambassadors and consul-generals of about 21 European and Asian countries in Durban that the provincial government had set aside about R250 billion to improve shipping container capacity at Durban’s port, “which services most of the country”.
“We call upon you to help us grow our own economy. The surest way of doing that is through foreign direct investment.
“Many of you in your countries have heeded that call. Some of your countries have chosen KZN as their focal point for foreign direct investment,” he said.
He confessed to the foreign dignitaries that the province, which is the home of 27 consulate officials, had a headache of political violence that was a hindrance in attracting local and foreign investors.
“Past and present leaders of the ANC took a firm stand to promote an environment of coexistence with other political parties.
“We did that because we understood very well that for this province to become a haven for foreign and direct investment, a climate of peace must prevail,” he said.
Part of the gathering was to promote an international scholarship exchange programme.
Mchunu commended European countries for hosting young people from the province, saying this would give them experience to develop the province.
“Having a presence of our young people knowing your countries, knowing systems in your countries, being exposed to what your countries do is very important.”
eThekwini Mayor Zandile Gumede called on the international community to focus on empowering local young women in rural area as part of its investment.
“I urge that we redirect our resources and energy towards developing our people in rural areas.
“That would also assist us in the fight against urbanisation, as everyone is flocking into the city.
“Let us open up opportunities there in rural areas so that some of us can be there to continue to fight poverty,” he said.
Consular general for the EU and Poland, Andrzej Kiepiela, said the provincial government and diplomatic core from various countries had started a website to recruit local students to study overseas.
He said there were 64 students already studying in countries such as Japan, India, Turkey, America and England.
Kiepiela said that the organisers of the scholarship would soon visit various schools in the province to talk to pupils about study opportunities overseas.
“Anyone can qualify,” he said.
“As you know it can be a challenge to go and live in another country, let alone being a student on a scholarship as often the language is a problem, and it requires a specific person to make it.
“It won’t be 64 next time, it will be 600,” Kiepiela said.
He said that when countries sent their young people to study in a foreign land, it helped to develop their motherland.
“If you look at Ireland and Italy they have huge diaspora outside, and that is the way of doing business because they know the systems on the other side, and then they promote their native country,” he said.
THE MERCURY