The Premier of Limpopo, Mr Cassel Mathale, has returned from the People's Republic of China on Sunday, 18 April 2010. He was leading a government and business delegation on a week long trade and investment promotion mission. The delegation also participated in the 2010 World Coal-to-Liquid (CTL) conference in Beijing.
First leg of the Mission, World 2010 CTL Conference
The World conference brought together experts and investors from various countries to share experiences and learn about the renowned expertise in the development of coal-to-liquid technology and new forms of coal beneficiation opportunities.
The delegates in this conference have agreed to forge ahead, establish and enhance a global alliance and partnership to ensure a continued investment in innovation, research and development. This would also include the commercialisation of technologies and the optimisation of available coal resources in order to reduce the high capital expenditure.
"The delegates left the conference with a renewed sense of commitment to find long-lasting solution to the energy problems afflicting humanity today. We have got no doubt that this new coal-to-liquid technology and new forms of beneficiation opportunities will add the required value and complement the conventional electricity generation," said the Premier of Limpopo, Cassel Mathale.
"Our new Limpopo employment growth and development plan, identifies the need for the downstream beneficiation and diversification of coal and this 2010 World Coal-to-Liquids conference has therefore provided us with the opportunity to realise this objective," emphasised the Premier of Limpopo, Cassel Mathale.
Second leg of the mission, trade and investment promotion
On trade and investment promotion leg of the mission, the premier and the entire delegation met with various investors in Beijing and Inner Mongolia to show case the capacity and potential of the province in terms of coal reserves and related green field investments.
These investors include, amongst others, Sinomet, Shenhua Coal-to-Liquid and Chemical, China Coal Technology and Engineering Group, Sinosteel and China-Africa Development Fund. The investors have expressed interest in investing in Limpopo. Owing to this expressed interest, it was agreed that a joint working committees between the Provincial Government and these investors should be established to identify common areas of interest for cooperation. The Joint committees are expected to report on progress to the principals in the next two months.
"The Premier has appointed Mr Nepo Kekana, the Senior General Manager responsible for policy and planning, to represent the provincial government in these joint committees," said Limpopo provincial government Spokesperson, Mogale Nchabeleng.
"The ongoing massive investments in Lephalale municipality, particularly the construction of the biggest coal fired Medupi power station, the imminent establishment of coal-to-liquid plant in the same area and the discovery of yet another huge reserves of coal in Musina, put Limpopo on a right developmental path to meet its socio-economic goals posed by challenges of underdevelopment, unemployment and abject poverty," said the Premier of Limpopo, Cassel Mathale.
Contact:
Mogale Nchabeleng
Cell: 082 520 8966
Phuthi Mosomane
Cell: 082 729 2783
Issued by: Limpopo Provincial Government
18 April 2010
Source: Limpopo Provincial Government (http://www.limpopo.gov.za/)
