Manufacturing remains key to economic growth
Manufacturing remains the central heart of any economy.
That's the view of Hamish Erskine, the CEO of the Dube Trade Port, situated north of Durban.
"Be it vehicle manufacturing, assembly, pharmaceuticals or even electronics," said Erskine.
Erskine had been speaking at the first installment of the KZN Business Conversations at the Oyster Box Hotel in Umhlanga last week.
The event was geared towards kick-starting the dialogue around how business leaders can change the narrative around KwaZulu-Natal as a business destination.
Erskine said all sectors of the economy must balance each other to create opportunities and avoid downsizing.
"If you shrink your manufacturing and you shrink your secondary sector, the others will inevitably follow and you will have downsizing. It will also remove the opportunity of taking people through the fullest range of the economy and creating opportunities," he said.
The session also heard how the province could have been downplaying or underselling itself as a business destination.
The Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry's CEO, Dumile Cele says KwaZulu-Natal needs to be more confident in its own offering.
She said the province needs to emphasise the partnerships, skills and infrastructure available on the east coast.
"Be it vehicle manufacturing, assembly, pharmaceuticals or even electronics," said Erskine.
Erskine had been speaking at the first installment of the KZN Business Conversations at the Oyster Box Hotel in Umhlanga last week.
The event was geared towards kick-starting the dialogue around how business leaders can change the narrative around KwaZulu-Natal as a business destination.
Erskine said all sectors of the economy must balance each other to create opportunities and avoid downsizing.
"If you shrink your manufacturing and you shrink your secondary sector, the others will inevitably follow and you will have downsizing. It will also remove the opportunity of taking people through the fullest range of the economy and creating opportunities," he said.
The session also heard how the province could have been downplaying or underselling itself as a business destination.
The Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry's CEO, Dumile Cele says KwaZulu-Natal needs to be more confident in its own offering.
She said the province needs to emphasise the partnerships, skills and infrastructure available on the east coast.