Knysna: Deputy President Paul Mashatile is expected to attend and deliver the keynote address at the Knysna Regional 2024 Investment Conference in the Western Cape on Friday. The Knysna Regional 2024 Investment Conference is organized through a partnership between government, the private sector, as well as civil society. The theme of this year’s gathering is ‘Investments through Skills and Capacity Building in the Broader Region’.

According to South African Government News Agency, the conference will be attended by delegates from various industries in tourism, telecommunication, logistics, finance, and the food and beverage sectors. The gathering will focus on the economic development and opportunities for Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs), which the Presidency said is a critical force in addressing economic challenges such as poverty and unemployment.

The attendees will discuss investment promotion aimed at attracting both domestic and foreign direct investment vital for stimulating the local eco
nomy, and skills development and training. They will also touch on meaningful networking and collaboration opportunities to support SMME growth and investment initiatives. The gathering will also highlight investment in key economic sectors promoting sustainable development and addressing critical economic drivers.

The Presidency stated that government continues to champion partnership with the private sector, labor, and civil society in tackling some of the most immediate challenges facing the South African economy. Deputy President Mashatile will, among other government-led investment drives, update the conference on Operation Vulindlela, a joint initiative led by the Presidency and National Treasury to accelerate the implementation of structural reforms and support for economic recovery.

Through this initiative, the Presidency stated that the government aims to modernize and transform network and infrastructure industries, including electricity, water, transport, and digital communications to improve the
living conditions of the people. Deputy President Mashatile will be accompanied by the Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Dr. Mimmy Gondwe, Deputy Minister of Finance Ashor Sarupen, and the Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment Narend Singh.

In attendance will also be the Garden Route District Municipality Executive Mayor Andrew Stroebel and Knysna Local Municipality Executive Mayor Aubrey Ndoda Tsengwa.