INVITATION TO THE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON ENTREPRENEURSHIP& INVESTMENT

2012-09-27

INVITATION TO THE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON ENTREPRENEURSHIP& INVESTMENT TO BE HOSTED BY THE MINISTRY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & TOURISM - KWAZULU-NATAL -08 OCTOBER - 10 OCTOBER 2012 AT THE  INKOSI ALBERT LUTHULI CONVENTION CENTRE - DURBAN

The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Economic Development & Tourism together with its public entity focusing on trade and investment promotion - the Trade & Investment KwaZulu-Natal (TIKZN) - will be hosting the inaugural KwaZulu-Natal International Entrepreneurship and Investment Conference.

The Conference will focus on unpacking the general investment climate within the province of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN);showcasing the new investment opportunities in KZN, South Africa and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Region; and the promotion and entrenchment of a culture of entrepreneurship characterized by creativity and innovation.

The province of KwaZulu Natal is fast developing into an undisputed transportation and logistics hub within the SADC region thus making it an obvious choice for new investments and setting up new operations. The recently-developed Dube Trade Port which boasts a cyber port, an agri-zone, the new King Shaka International Airport and a cargo terminal as well as the Durban and Richards Bay Harbours confirms the status of this province as the logistics hub.

The province also prides itself on having a conducive investment climate and the economic infrastructure to attract and promote investment opportunities in local and global markets.

The conference plans to feature entrepreneurship as a critical component and springboard towards investment and economic growth. The province aims to deal with a challenge that faces many countries that have gotten independence whereby those who take over the economy merely play an intermediary role and are not entrepreneurs thereby stunting growth and development.

Furthermore, according to the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) Report 2009, the model recognizes that "...there is a wide agreement on the importance of entrepreneurship for economic development. Business entrepreneurship drive and shape innovation, they structural changes in the economy, they introduce new competition and contribute to productivity whilst social entrepreneurs perform a similar function in the economy by filling gaps in social needs that are poorly addressed by both business and governments".

Therefore, the purpose of the conference is to provide a platform to promote KwaZulu-Natal as a premier investment destination and entrench the spirit of entrepreneurship in the province whilst re-channeling the mindset of being survivalist to that of being innovative and pioneering approach to business.

It is against the above that the KZN Province is hosting the International Conference on the 8th October to 10th October 2012 under the theme "Positioning KwaZulu-Natal at the Epicenter of Africa's Sustainable Economic Growth and Development".

The Office of the MEC of Economic Development & Tourism kindly extends an invitation to you to attend the above conference, opening cocktail reception and gala banquet.

IEIC Participant Registration Form - 1.2 Mb
Please click on the link to download


We hope our request will meet your most favourable consideration.
For more information please contact Ms Deniece Otto on (031) 309 1106 or email info2@thoughtfire.co.za or the website www.ieic-kzn.co.za