Los Angeles-based businesses in the United States of America have expressed confidence in eThekwini Municipality’s value-proposition aimed at attracting investment into the City across various sectors.
This comes after the City’s Economic Development and Planning Chairperson Councillor Thembo Ntuli led the government delegation, including eThekwini City Manager Musa Mbhele and Head of Catalytic Projects, George Mohlakoana, during a dinner engagement.
The engagement was attended by over 30 Presidents and Chief Executive Officers from various corporate organisations in Los Angeles.
Business and city leaders agreed to collaborate on a number of projects in sectors that included property development, health, artificial intelligence and arts.
Reflecting on deliberations and resolutions of the engagement, Councillor Ntuli said: “This was a highly successful business meeting with some of the most successful entrepreneurs in USA. The business community in Los Angeles is eager to invest in Durban and have a footprint in our City. As government, we will do everything to support them.”
Mbhele said the engagement enabled the City and business leaders in Los Angeles to share strategies and develop a common plan of action.
“I am humbled and excited about the future prospects of our City. The presentations that have been made are exactly what we came to Los Angeles for. We will embark on further discussions with the business leaders as we continue to reach out to the rest of the world and the African continent to attract investors into eThekwini,” said Mbhele.
The City delegation is in USA as part of an aggressive drive to attract investors and position eThekwini as a serious economic player in the world.
The meeting with business leaders in Los Angeles was also a platform for the City to discuss the reSURGEnce Conference taking place at Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre (Durban ICC) from 17 to 21 July 2024.
The reSURGEnce Conference is a global business event aimed at highlighting the status of businesses in New York, Africa, America, and globally. It celebrates and promotes successful entrepreneurs within these communities while providing critical resources and support for those who need them most.
This conference offers an unparalleled opportunity to discuss ways that can strengthen local economies, create jobs and close racial wealth gaps. Under the theme “Moving the needle forward towards economic emancipation” this year’s conference seeks to establish trade relations and progressive investment talks between government and business on small business development and opening corridors of trade between Africa and the USA.
Critical areas of business collaboration are particularly focussed on the following sectors:
• Trade and Investment
• Destination Promotion and Tourism
• Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Events
• Promotion of Arts and Culture
• Entrepreneurship, Education and Training
• Export opportunities including Agro-processing, Citrus and Natural Health-related products.
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