South Africa has been elected to the position of Vice President of the World Association of Investment Promotion (WAIPA) by the international organisation’s General Assembly at its annual conference in Geneva, Switzerland. Ms Pumla Ncapayi the Deputy Director-General of Trade and Investment South Africa, a division of the Department of Trade and Industry (the dti) will serve as Executive Vice President on behalf of the country for a period of two years.
Minister Davies says the appointment shows the confidence that the world is having on South Africa regarding our Trade and Investment policy and our business environment.
‘The appointment of South Africa on the Steering Committee of WAIPA is a boost for Africa and will benefit the African Continent. South Africa will be a voice for the improving investment climate on the African Continent. Recent investments by multinationals have affirmed South Africa as a hub and a Gateway into the continent with new investments and expansions in the manufacturing sector. These are large scale investments and include Unilever, Proctor & Gamble, Nestle, Kimberly Clark amongst others,’ said Davies.
WAIPA was established in 1995 was and is a registered non-governmental organisation based in Geneva, Switzerland. It has 165 member investment promotion agencies (IPAs) from 122 countries. Through its wide range of activities, WAIPA provides the opportunity for IPAs to network and exchange best practices in investment promotion.
The organisation’s objectives include promoting and develop understanding and cooperation amongst IPAs, sharing country and regional experiences in attracting foreign investment, and enhancing outward investments and assisting IPAs in advising their respective governments on the formulation of appropriate investment promotion policies and strategies.
Ms Pumla Ncapayi will be attending the first WAIPA Steering Committee meeting in Dubai, 29 April 2013.
Enquiries:
Sidwell Medupe, Departmental Spokesperson
Tel: 012 394 1650
Cell: 079 492 1774
E-mail: MSMedupe@thedti.gov.za
