Gauteng Nepad Summit

March 2, 2009

The countdown has begun to the Gauteng Nepad Summit, which will focus on promoting regional integration in Africa at a time when the need for such initiatives is more pressing than ever.

Nepad is the New Partnership for Africa's Development. The summit, one of the most important events on the African business calendar, takes place at the Sandton Convention Centre from tomorrow until Thursday. Registration opens tomorrow.

The African Trade & Investment Exhibition will take place on Wednesday and Thursday.

The summit will bring together a diverse range of African business leaders from trade, investment and economic development organisations.

This initiative of the Gauteng Economic Development Agency (Geda) and the Gauteng provincial government will be attended by African government representatives and observers from international economic development agencies.

Discussions at the event will culminate in the establishment of the first African Economic Development Agencies Secretariat Office. The office will enhance African trade and investment opportunities and promote foreign direct investment into Africa.

Africa is a continent filled with opportunities. The Nepad summit will provide an exciting platform to explore those opportunities.

Nepad's rationale is a development plan that aims to promote sustainable and self-development. It seeks to liberate Africa from its history of underdevelopment, poverty, war and corruption.

Geda remains the first point of contact for investors and entrepreneurs who want to unlock value in Gauteng and beyond.

Since its inception, Geda has generated investment worth more than R10 billion. This equates to an average rate of between R1.5 billion and R1.6 billion a financial year.

Gauteng has continued to strengthen its position as the economic engine of the country and the continent, contributing nearly 43 percent of South Africa's gross domestic product.