Both countries boasting powerful economic positions, share similarities and trends that help shape both states what they share.
According to Tau, globally local governments are making way into forging institutional bonds by working on projects with cities beyond SA.
“In line with the City’s objective to develop active and well managed city to city engagements with strategic cities within African continent; the City of Joburg has prioritized Lagos as a key African city to interact with and encourage a proactive International Relations programmes,” he says.
“Nigeria is a valuable continental market for Africa in many respects and we are here to represent everything Joburg has to offer Nigerians from a business, investment, tourism and lifestyle perspective, “continued Tau, whose delegation comprises of tourism stakeholders and other business related industries.
Tau outlined possible areas of collaboration such as, economic development and business related activities between the Cities; trade and investment opportunities; urban sustainability and development; strengthening bi-lateral relations between the two cities and joint continental objectives; advancement of the African Agenda and people to people contact.
The three day programme for 2012 includes presentations on business, trade and investment opportunities, as well as events dedicated to showcasing music, arts, culture and fashion.
Joburg has been set to host the bilateral exhibition and conference in 2013.
“Driven by the SA High Commission in Lagos, with buy in from other partners like SA Tourism and SAA, as well private sector stakeholders like the large hotel groups, the entire focus of the project is to foster bi-lateral relations in trade, investment, tourism and of course, not forgetting civil society,” says Phelisa Mangcu, Acting CEO, Johannesburg Tourism Company.
“As one of the strongest African economies, Nigeria is a valuable continental market for Africa in many respects and we are here to represent everything Joburg has to offer Nigerians from a business, investment, leisure and lifestyle perspective”.
His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Lagos State Babatunde Raji Fashola, welcomed the SA delegation and went on to point that, without South African government buy-in, the Continent would not realise its full potential to develop, grow and sustain itself economically.
Recently, SA and Nigeria signed an MOU to market tourism products in both states.
