KwaZulu-Natal host summit aimed at uplifting economies
The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (EDTEA) has partnered with the Departments of Agriculture & Rural Development (DARD), Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) and the South African Local Government Association (SALGA KZN) to host a two day Regional and Local Economic Development Summit.
The Summit, which takes place on the 13th and 14th of March 2018 at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre will ponder innovative means to promote local economic development at community levels.
It will bring together over 500 participants from civil society, government, business, academia and labour who will lead discussions on the role of local economic development as a catalyst for transformation, job creation and poverty alleviation at municipal levels.
Commenting ahead of the Summit, the MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, Mr. Sihle Zikalala, said the acceleration of economic development at local levels was one of government’s most immediate tasks.
“We cannot talk about building an economy that is globally competitive without taking into cognisance the need to improve the lives of our communities, where poverty, unemployment and inequality is most pronounced.”
The first day of the Summit will also feature the Umyezane Awards Gala Dinner which honours top achieving emerging entrepreneurs in the province.
Members of media are invited to attend the RLED Summit and Umyezane Awards to be held as follows:
Date: Tuesday, 13-14 March 2018
Venue: Inkosi Albert Luthuli ICC
Time: 8:30 (Umyezane Gala Dinner to follow at 6pm)
Enquiries:
Bongani Tembe
Cell: 082 327 2600
Siyabonga Maphumulo
Cell: 082 330 5132
