Premier of KwaZulu-Natal Nomusa Dube-Ncube held a high-level strategic meeting with Dr. Motumisi Tawana, South African Consul General in New York.
Unlocking economic prospects and maximising current commercial relations between South Africa and the United States were covered during the summit.
Dube-Ncube, accompanied by the MEC for Economic Development, Tourism, and Environmental Affairs, Siboniso Duma, held productive discussions with the Consul General regarding interventions designed to accelerate economic growth and the development of KwaZulu-Natal through job creation, sustainable development, and entrepreneurship empowerment initiatives.
During the meeting, which was held on Friday at the office of the South African Consul General in New York, the Premier stated that the South African Embassy in the United States had previously held a meeting with business people and investors to showcase the KwaZulu-Natal Investment Book and to reinforce the province’s standing as an attractive business, investment, and tourism destination.
“Our visit is a continuation of the provincial government’s approach of engaging with the international business community while leveraging on the good relations and partnerships that the South African Consulate-General has with US-based businesses and investors.
“The key areas we are focusing on include trade, commerce, education (student exchange programmes), agriculture, health, information technology, energy generation, and arts and culture,” Dube-Ncube said.
Premier Dube-Ncube was reassured by Dr. Tawana that his office would facilitate connections between KwaZulu-Natal and US-based investors and businesses, in accordance with their mandate to promote South African interests, trade relations, and foster relationships within the consulate’s jurisdictional area.
The Premier and MEC also met with Ambassador Professor Anil Sooklal, Ambassador at Large for Asia and Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa (BRICS), to discuss the province government’s involvement in the upcoming BRICS 2023 Summit, which will be hosted by South Africa in 2023.
As the incoming BRICS Chair for 2023, South Africa hosted the BRICS Ministers of Foreign Affairs and International Relations Meeting in New York on the margins of the 77th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA77) from 20-27 September 2022, with the theme “A watershed moment: Unlocking transformative solutions to interlocking challenges.”
At the annual Under2 Coalition General Assembly held 19-25 September 2022, Dube-Ncube chaired the provincial government delegation consisting of prominent states, regions, and other sub-nationals.