Western Cape Government showcases innovation and economic recovery plan in engagement with the Consular Corps
Western Cape Premier Alan Winde has detailed the innovative work that the provincial government has undertaken in response to the pandemic, and highlighted opportunities for partnerships in the recovery plan, in an engagement with the diplomatic and consular corps.
The annual engagement with the consular and diplomatic corps, is traditionally held in Cape Town on the day following the State of the Nation Address. This year, the engagement was held virtually in line with Covid-19 safety protocols.
Premier Winde said: "I look forward to this engagement with the consular corps each year because it gives us an opportunity to showcase our province to representatives from the rest of the world, and to build the relationships and partnerships between the Western Cape and the rest of the world. The engagement is an important opportunity for ambassadors and consuls general to ask questions, raise concerns and find opportunities for collaboration."
In his speech to the ambassadors and consul generals, Premier Winde highlighted the Western Cape Government's innovative response to the Covid-19 pandemic and highlighted the work done in the province's recovery.
Premier Winde said: "Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, the Western Cape has responded innovatively to deliver healthcare and services to our residents. In healthcare, when science showed us that high flow nasal oxygen and dexamethasone would save lives, we introduced their use into the system. We delivered 1.2 chronic medicine parcels to patients in their homes and we implemented a unique telemedicine system for diabetics when they were shown to be the highest risk group."
He added: "We were also able to innovate in a number of different areas- launching the Red Dot transport system, providing e-learning resources to schools, and ensuring that Western Cape Government staff were able to continue working during the lockdown, to continue delivering services."
"One of the ways that we have been partnering with other countries in the pandemic, was through the repatriation process of many visitors during the lockdown. We worked hard to ensure that people were able to leave safely, but we do of course look forward to welcoming them all back as visitors in the future," Premier Winde said.
Minister of Finance and Economic Opportunities, David Maynier highlighted some of the work done in attracting investment, growing exports and trade, growing tourism and positioning the province as a tech capital.
"We are a resilient region, proven through our internationally recognised management of the drought, and management of both peaks of the Covid-19 waves. And, while some economic sectors have been hard-hit, glimmers of hope and opportunity are evident in some sectors that have shown great resilience," Minister Maynier said, highlighting the agricultural sector, ICT and BPO, manufacturing and the green economy as examples of this. Minister Maynier's full speech is available here.
Premier Winde said: "I want to thank the diplomatic and consular corps for their open and honest engagement and for taking time for this engagement. Our response to the pandemic has been built on partnerships and our recovery response will depend on the strength of our partnerships too. I look forward to outlining more of our plans for the Western Cape during my State of the Province Address next week."
