African Association for the Conference Industry (SAACI) speech
23 July 2007
There has been some interest in my remarks at the opening of the Southern
African Association for the Conference Industry's national conference in Cape
Town today. The interest emerges from my reference to negotiations with the
Minister of Public Works, Minister Thoko Didiza, around the future of customs
house.
I can confirm that indeed we have been in negotiations with her for the last
two months. This matter of the future of Customs House has been urgent because
the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) has been a huge success,
and the need to expand it has been recognised. However, the possibility of Cape
Town hosting the International Broadcasting Centre (IBC) for the 2010 Soccer
World Cup has made these negotiations critical.
The Minister, who accompanied the President on the Imbizo over the weekend,
confirmed with me that her Department has agreed to put Customs House at the
disposal of the CTICC. Simply put, we can commence with the expansion of the
CTICC, whether for the IBC in 2010 or to meet the growth in the conference
industry in Cape Town. This is not the time to speak to the further contents of
the negotiations because none of them are onerous.
This is very good news indeed, and just adds to the many enduring legacies
brought about by World Cup 2010. This will enhance Cape Town's reputation as a
premier business tourist destination even further.
Issued by: Office of the Premier, Western Cape Provincial Government
23 July 2007
