THE province is not bankrupt, promised MEC for Economic Development, Lebogang Maile.
“How can we be cash-strapped when we have presented a R527 billion budget?” he responded to media, during pre-Gauteng Investment Conference, scheduled to begin on Thursday.
MEC Maile revealed that the province is ready to attract more than R300 billion in investment pledges from more than 50 companies that are willing to invest in the province, provided the business environment is conducive.
Over 500 delegates will attend this very important conference, to be addressed by Deputy President Paul Mashatile, Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi, Joburg Mayor Dada Morero, and the Minister of Trade and Industry Parks Tau, amongst others.
The key purpose of the gathering, is to showcase what the province is capable of, from tourism, trade, manufacturing, ICT, to green energy and financial sector.
This is also in preparation for the G20 Summit to be held in November, said MEC Maile.
“Africa’s seventh-biggest economy which contributes 35% to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is ready to engage with the private sector to create jobs and other economic opportunities for its citizens,” he told the packed press brief, held at the Marriott Hotel, Melrose Arch, where the investment conference will be held.
Launched February 2025, the Investment Conference will catalyse the province’s economic momentum and align with its broader regional goals to promote Gauteng as a leading global investment and tourism destination.
“The intentional focus on the success of the conference is rooted in our collective appreciation of its strategic value and transformative potential… Of equal significance is the large contingent of leaders across business and government sectors on the African continent, the African diaspora, and the globe,” he said.
The MEC also promised they’re working hard to address contentious issues such as potholes, malfunctioning robots, crime and electricity in the province.
The conference will wrap-up with a Golf Day, a networking session that will provide for companies and individuals to deepen relations and unlock business opportunities geared towards an African development agenda.
Image SLM (GP MEC for Economic Development, Lebogang Maile addressing media ahead of the Gauteng Investment Conference, scheduled for Thursday morning at the Marriot Hotel, Melrose Arch, where the investment conference will be held).
