investors
15 October 2006
Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh - After traversing two Indian States of New Delhi
and Punjab, Premier Sello Moloto and his delegation landed in the third State
of Andhra Pradesh, India's equivalent to South Africa's Gauteng Province, in
terms of its economic powerbase, and Limpopo in terms of it being the country's
tropical paradise. The delegation descended on the State's capital, Hyderabad.
The city dubbed "the information technology (IT) capital of India" gave a royal
welcome to the Premier and his two MECs, Ms Maite Nkoana-Mashabane of Local
Government and Housing, and Mr Collins Chabane of Economic Development,
Environment and Tourism.
The highlight of the visit was last night's Premiers invitation to the
reception party hosted by the Federation of Andhra Pradesh Chambers of Commerce
and Industry. Attended by the who's who of the State's captains of industry,
the chief guest speaker, Premier Sello Moloto waxed lyrical when he spoke about
investment opportunities in the province. "We are here to take full advantage
of the India-Brazil-South Africa (IBSA) trilateral agreement to ensure that it
benefits ordinary people back at home and in the two signatory countries. Our
province and our country as a whole have many resources that remain unexplored.
Come and explore them with us to the maximum effect. Come and partner with our
businesses and help government reverse the frontiers of poverty."
"The visit is not about just attracting monetary investment to our country.
But it is far more. It is also about investing in our country's skills
development initiatives. Today's wars require scientific and technological
skills. So we need to develop scientific art and knowledge and learn from each
other on strategies appropriate to combat poverty, unemployment and disease. We
need to complement each other where one falters. By so doing we shall be giving
meaning to our freedom because independence is not enough as long as it does
not benefit ordinary masses of our people."
"It is about us collectively looking at common areas of mutual benefit to
both our countries. It is about us forging a partnership to intensify the fight
against poverty and hunger amongst our people."
The Premier encouraged Indian investors to come to Limpopo. "Once you are in
Limpopo and South Africa as a whole you will discover you don't feel like you
are in a foreign land. That brotherhood between the two countries has always
been there. We have large communities of people of Indian origin. So South
Africa, like Mahatma Gandhi had done, is and should be your second home.
The guest of honour was Sri DA Somayajulu, the Deputy Chairman of
Agricultural Technology Mission and also advisor to the government of Andhra
Pradesh on economic affairs and policy implementation. "The relations between
South Africa and India are tied in our blood. We need to explore partnerships
around various areas including research and development. South Africa is,
besides being India's largest African trading partner, also strategically
located as a springboard into the rest of the continent. Investment into
Limpopo and South Africa will definitely increase the market share of India's
exports against other international competitors. And we have as Indian
investors the opportunity to do it now, before we are beaten to the race by
other economies".
Also sharing the stage with the Premier and Sri DA Somayajulu were the two
MECs, Mr Sudhir Sanghi, President of the Federation of Andhra Pradesh Chambers
of Commerce and Industry (FAPCCI) and his chamber's Senior Vice President Mr
Atluri Subba Rao. The South African High Commissioner in India, Mr Francis
Moloi, was represented by his counsellor for political affairs, Mr Madoda
Ntshinga.
The Limpopo delegation will be leaving India tonight for Malaysia where they
will continue interacting with both public and private institutions, including
big corporates.
Contact:
Saul Molobi
General Manager: Provincial Communication Services
Tel: (015) 287 6311
Cell: 083 444 2822
E-mail: molobis@premier.norprov.gov.za
Issued by: Office of the Premier, Limpopo Provincial Government
15 October 2006
