Manufacturing Indaba kicks off today
The Indaba takes place against the backdrop of increasingly uncertain and volatile global economic conditions.
Organisers are hoping the programme will not only unlock new markets, but grow manufacturing businesses and meet the need of KZN manufacturers.
KZN Economic Development MEC Sihle Zikalala says the province’s manufacturing sector is driven by a combination of sectors - including clothing and textiles, petrochemicals, machinery and equipment, and agro-processing.
"It has been our desire as the province and our ambition to attract more businesses in the manufacturing field and motivate that their presence in the province is defined in terms of their headquarters being located right here in the province and KZN and they must understand that KZN is a very strategic province," he said.
KwaZulu Natal is South Africa’s second largest economy, after Gauteng. It also boasts the second highest level of industrialisation in the country.
Below, The Department of Trade and Industry's Nigel Gwynne-Evans speaks about the efforts in tackling rape tape to better enable businesses to tap into investment opportunities.
#ManufacturingIndaba Zikalala: Indaba will focus of sharing knowledge for manufacturing growth in the region
— Khatija Nxedlana (@its_KhaTija) August 16, 2016
#ManufacturingIndaba Zikalala: The Manufacturing sector pivotal in efforts to stimulate growth
— Khatija Nxedlana (@its_KhaTija) August 16, 2016
#ManufacturingIndaba Zikalala: Some of the country's largest manufacturers have their administrative & production bases in KZN
— Khatija Nxedlana (@its_KhaTija) August 16, 2016