Representatives of the business sector - most of them from the property development industry - under the All Shall Prosper Movement, met last week with eThekwini Municipality’s City Manager, Musa Mbhele, to discuss challenges, resolution and opportunities for collaborations in Durban. Picture: SUPPLIED
Giving businesses a boost, the eThekwini Municipality will collaborate with businesses to bring investment to Durban.
eThekwini City Manager, Musa Mbhele, led a delegation to a meeting with astute business leaders, property developers and investors in the region last week. The engagement was organised by the All Shall Prosper Movement and aimed at bolstering private sector collaboration with the city.
The discussion focused on challenges, resolutions, and opportunities for collaboration to improve economic development in the region as well as establishing eThekwini as the city of choice for investment. Mr Mbhele gave assurance of the city’s sound financial status and unqualified audit report, providing an overview of future catalytic development and inner-city regeneration efforts. He said they had constructive, robust, and honest engagement with stakeholders who resolved to establish a forum committed to moving the city forward.
“The City is on the brink of an economic rise, with approximately R217 billion of investment being ploughed into the eThekwini region through our catalytic projects. These are expected to create over 300 000 construction job opportunities and 120 000 permanent employments,” said Mr Mbhele.
“We welcome the confidence shown by investors in the private sector and the city is committed to supporting their developments. Our city’s ability to mobilise public-private collaboration in pursuit of rapid economic growth and transformation forms a catalyst for the delivery of new opportunities for the benefit of all our citizens, improving the quality of their lives.”
Businessman Andrzej Kiepiela, from the KZN Growth Coalition, said he had full confidence in the city, adding that there were ongoing efforts, in partnership with the city, to ensure a conducive business environment and opportunities for growth and development.
Businesswoman and leader of the All Shall Prosper Movement, Adele Benvie, said the purpose of the meeting was to ensure that Durban is seen as a premier investment destination.
“The business sector has vested interest in eThekwini, and we aim to change the Durban narrative. Everyone wants to see Durban move forward; therefore, we established a structure where key issues can be addressed. All parties represented left with a definite sense of commitment to be intentional in their efforts to encourage new property investment in Durban going forward,” said Ms Benvie.