Business pledge support to Gauteng’s Infrastructure plan
Various private companies who congregated in Midrand for the inaugural Gauteng Infrastructure Investment Conference today agree that infrastructure investment is everyone’s responsibility.
While pledging to invest in public infrastructure, business also appealed to government to create an enabling environment for investment.
“Businesses are generally attracted to places where there is a high concentration of people, openness by government, clarity and certainty, and consumer purchasing power,” said the CEO of Alexander Forbes, Edward Kieswetter.
His sentiments were shared by Ernst and Young: Africa Risk Management Leader, Koko Khumalo.
“Rapid economic and infrastructure growth is neither linear nor smooth and there will be many detours and bumps on Gauteng’s road to prosperity.
“However with proper and good governance, committed leadership from business and government, real progress can be made”, said Khumalo.
The Gauteng Provincial Government is committed to enhancing the province’s competitiveness by addressing two critical issues namely: improving the ease of doing business, maintaining and expanding modern, financially and ecological sustainable infrastructure.
“With regard to the ease of doing business, we have established a one-stop service centre, the Gauteng Investment Centre, which facilitates investments in various sectors.
“The Gauteng Investment Centre has proved to be of great assistance in helping us to cut bureaucratic red tape because this brings various government departments and agencies under one roof.
“This is done to facilitate registration of businesses in the shortest of time, tax compliance and overseas travel particularly the visa requirements. The feedback from business people has been very positive,” said Premier Makhura.
The Gauteng Infrastructure Investment Conference aims to promote mutually beneficial and transformative partnerships between government and the private sector which will contribute in transforming Gauteng into a globally competitive City Region and a preferred destination for investment and tourism.
Enquiries
Thabo Masebe
Cell: 082 410 8087
E-mail: Thabo.masebe@gauteng.gov.za
