Faced with the challenges of a global economic slowdown, the Gauteng Economic Development Agency (Geda) has hosted its first ever Gauteng Investor Conference in Midrand. Gauteng has set an economic growth target of around 8% by 2014 and the conference was organised to serve as a Gauteng government conversation platform with priority sectors and key players in the economy. According to Geda spokesman Mandla Sidu, the aim of the two-day conference, held at Gallagher Estate in mid-October, was to identify areas that impeded growth while also investigating options for sustainable job creation efforts and developing action plans. More than 350 delegates – ranging from current investors doing business in the province to potential investors, business chambers, manufacturers, retailers as well as municipality and government representatives – spent two days debating and talking about the key challenges facing Gauteng. According to Sidu, the conference is part and parcel of the Geda’s realignment of its investment strategies to enable it to reach its growth target. “It was an extremely successful conference as the visions that were shared led to many opportunities being identified that will enable the province to meet the challenges it has to overcome to ensure we attract investment and are able to reach our growth target,” he said.
