KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Premier Senzo Mchunu has met with captains of industry affiliated to the KZN Growth Coalition ahead of the State of the Province address which is scheduled to take place on the 26th June 2014. The majority members of the coalition are CEOs of multinationals and Presidents of district chambers.
As the newly appointed premier with a new executive, it's very important that we begin this process of continuous engagement. The meeting takes place few days after this province hosted successfully the Top Gear Festival and Comrades Marathon. We are fully cognisant of the global marketing opportunities offered by hosting this event and other conference. And we will be working with the private sector to ensure that we continue to host international events.
I have requested to meet with you because I understand the important role that you are playing in driving economic development in the province. More importantly, I want to talk less and instead give you the opportunity to raise some of the issues you believe requires ongoing engagements moving forward.
As the country, we have taken the route of becoming a developmental state with capacity to plan and implement massive infrastructure programme to lead growth and mobilise the private sector to invest alongside the state in a strong show of confidence in the country.
Under the leadership of the ANC as the ruling party, KwaZulu-Natal established a Provincial Planning Commission which has aligned all provincial plans to the national plans. As a result, the province is well positioned to take advantage of the infrastructure revolution that is led by the President of the Republic.
Our government focus is guided by the priorities adopted by the 52nd conference, which are: rural development, food security, land and agrarian reform; fighting crime and corruption; health; education; and; building the economy and creation of decent work.
While many of you have participated in the drafting of the Provincial Growth and Development Plan (PGDP), we still believe that there is a need for more engagements moving forward. Our province will for the foreseeable future grow as a result of the combined investment of national departments and parastatals, provincial and local government and private sector.
The majority of job opportunities will be created by the private sector, particularly the small business sector. I undertake to strengthen all the institutional arrangements that have been created in order to advance in order to foster working relations between government and you.
The KZN Growth Coalition, KZN Economic Council, KZN Planning Commission, KZN Climate Change Council, Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) Advisory Council are few examples of the institutional collaboration between Business, Government and with civil society.
I have also undertaken to have more interaction with the chambers across the province. By and large, these structures have the responsibility to make an impact at local levels where much of government service delivery happens and where there is further opportunity for public-private sector collaboration.
Importantly, as government we are committed to taking this message of partnerships to traditional leadership structures, churches and the broader society. In this way we will improve understanding, create confidence and ensure that we are a winning nation.
I appreciate the opportunity to interact with the captains of industry. The views and suggestions I have received today will be incorporated into the state-of-the-province address. I also invite members of the public to send their input to senzo.mchunu@kznpremier.gov.za or visit www.kznonline.gov.za .
Enquiries:
Ndabezinhle Sibiya
Cell: 082 3754742
