21 August 2007
In what is deemed by many as a major networking session for business, media
and the Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism, the MEC
Collins Chabane, has thrown the gates wide open for the business community and
media to meet in an organised sessions for sharing information on the growth of
the province and to highlight specific operational efficiencies, successes and
challenges faced by the province. Entitled 'Breakfast with Collins', the
sessions, timed to coincide with the end of each quarter, will be used as an
invaluable platform for networking with business community and media on the
wide array of opportunities that have arisen in the annual business plan of the
department coupled with market analysis of trends and opportunities identified
and the means to access these for wealth and jobs creation.
The purpose of the sessions is to ensure that the plans for 2007/08 as
outlined in the budget speech are shared with all stakeholders in terms of the
pronouncements made at the beginning of the year, to look at progress made in
respect of these plans to date, consider challenges and the interventions
planned to deal with them. The session will also seek to provide the business
community with an insight into the opportunities arising in the province, and
to conduct open dialogue with these vital stakeholders. Among the many
successes made in the quarter by the department is the assistance of SMMEs with
finance to the value of over R30 million and creation of several job
opportunities.
Responding to the question of why the sessions are at the end of the
quarter, the MEC responded that "the end of the quarter enables us to take a
full look at the business plan of the department and to benchmark ourselves
against the plan, our expenditure and forecasts, and to look at the rate of
success we have as per our plans". He also added that it is sometimes difficult
in one month to plot the growth patterns in the economy as these normally
emerge after a while, even though the realisation may have dawned earlier of
such opportunities but we will as and when necessary, convene such meetings to
look into specific issues of interest.
For further information contact:
Lehlogonolo Masoga
Cell: 082 463 9755
Issued by: Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism,
Limpopo Provincial Government
21 August 2007
