The KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Finance, Ms Ina Cronjé last night encouraged continuity and the strengthening of relations between KwaZulu-Natal and India in order to help provide more technical skills and to build the economy of the province.
MEC Cronjé was addressing hundreds of delegates, government officials and stakeholders during the Indian Technical and Cooperation (INET) Day hosted by the Office of the Consulate General of India in Durban.
The event sought to celebrate the partnership between India and KwaZulu-Natal on this skills programme. A total of 16 candidates from provincial, local government and the University of KwaZulu-Natal have gone to India to receive training in web design, public expenditure management; international training programme in legislative drafting, financial management; international training programme in legislative drafting, business research methods and data analysis, trainers training on sustenance and growth of self help groups, entrepreneurship for small business trainers or promoters, database administration and e-commerce, management of rural drinking water and sanitation projects; international training programme on prevention of HIV and AIDS at the work place, human resource development and entrepreneurship education trainers; international training programme on leadership development as well as Parliament Internship programme.
Cronjé said there is a huge need for skills in KwaZulu-Natal in order to ensure economic development.
“The connection between poverty and a lack of education or skills is self evident. Not only do employers want skilled workers, they also want employees with education geared for a modern, global economy �" the knowledge economy,” said Cronjé.
She said in its 2009 International Business Report, the consultancy firm Grant Thornton, reported that 41 percent of South Africa’s privately owned businesses cited the availability of a skilled workforce as the biggest constraint to business growth.
“It makes infinite sense that education and skills development is a key priority in the South African government’s war against poverty. Therefore India’s commitment in building the capacity of our people is most welcome. The Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation Programme is a great gift to South Africa in the 21st century. The fact that you continued to sponsor this programme during the difficult times of the global recession is most appreciated,” she said.
She said India has many experiences to share and technologies available and their assistance enables KwaZulu-Natal to meet its development challenges.
“By providing technical assistance and education opportunities to our people you are building a better world,” concluded Cronjé.
The new Consulate-General of India, Mr Anil Sharan, said the purpose for the function was to provide the opportunity for interaction on the skills training programme for KwaZulu-Natal.
“Judging from the provincial budget speech presented by MEC Cronjé recently, it is clear to us that education is priority for KwaZulu-Natal. This programme provides 42 training courses in more than 200 hundred tertiary institutions,” he said.
He said they are grateful to have forged economic relations with the province of KwaZulu-Natal.
For more information, please contact:
Musa Cebisa
Cell: 071 687 8777
Issued by: Provincial Treasury, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government
30 March 2010
