President Jacob Zuma will travel to Davos-Klosters in Switzerland to attend the World Economic Forum (WEF) this evening, 21 January.
The President will use South Africa’s attendance of WEF to call for the world's top economies and business to invest in South Africa’s and African infrastructural projects for the long term economic growth of the continent.
President Zuma will also use the WEF platform to promote South Africa’s National Development Plan (NDP) which is a vision of the nation South Africa strives to be by 2030.
The National Development Plan seeks to redress South Africa’s triple challenges of unemployment, inequality and poverty.
The NDP will ensure all South Africans have access to quality services when it comes to education and health. It will also entrench a social security system covering all working people, with social protection for the poor and other groups in need, such as children and people with disabilities. It will also see South Africa play a leading role in continental development, economic integration and human rights.
A key aspect of the NDP is infrastructure development, a key project within the New Growth Path framework, which is part of our National Development Plan. President Zuma will invite international business to invest in the multi-billion rand infrastructure programme which will change the country’s social and economic landscape on completion. The President champions the African Union’s North-South infrastructure development corridor, running from Durban to Dar-es-Salaam, which he will also promote in Davos.
The African continent is currently a leading investment destination for good returns and sustainable socio-economic growth. As the leading economy in Africa, South Africa remains the strategic platform to accessing one of the world fastest growing regions. South Africa supports growth in Africa through regional integration and direct investment.
This year’s World Economic Forum annual meeting takes place under the theme "resilient dynamism" which seeks to address how the international community can return on a good economic path and create higher employment opportunities. WEF will also debate how the world can address the vulnerabilities within the international financial system and increase global, national and industry resilience to major systemic risks.
With ever-increasing evidence of the African continent’s steady growth and development, Davos remains the best platform for South Africa to showcase its opportunities for investment and business.
The President will be accompanied by Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan, Minister in the Presidency: National Planning Commission Trevor Manuel, Minister of Trade and Industry Rob Davis, Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs Edna Molewa, Minister of Economic Development Ebrahim Patel, Minister of Mineral Resources Susan Shabangu, Minister of Energy Dipuo Peters as well as Minister of Labour Mildred Oliphant and senior government officials.
Among the key sessions that President Zuma will attend include a panel discussion entitled “De-risking Africa” where African leaders will talk about mitigating investment risk in Africa’s economies. He will also hold a dialogue with big business to discuss investment opportunities in South Africa and address any socio-economic issue business might want to raise.
Ministers accompanying the President will also participate in a number of sessions. These include amongst others, sessions on infrastructure development, mining, energy and labour.
President Zuma will leave Davos on 25 January and proceed to Addis Ababa to attend the African Union Summit.
Enquiries:
Mac Maharaj
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