Luyanda Makapela,Durban
A province very rich in natural resources, KwaZulu-Natal has this week signed a memorandum of agreement with the South Korea for the establishment of leather and furniture factory.
This came after a delegation of KwaZulu-Natal provincial government and uMshwati Municipal officials, headed by the KwaZulu Natal Premier Sbu Ndebele recently returned from a tour to South Korea where a partnership was formed between the two countries.
Delivering a key note address at the first day of uMshwati Municipality’s Local Economic Development two-day summit in Durban this week, Mr Ndebele said he was pleased with the response they received from their Korean counterparts who were present at the summit.
“We are looking forward to this opportunity (for) Korean companies to participate and co-operate in this process. This will contribute to the success of the South African economy,” the Premier said.
“As (the 2017) preliminary draw will be held in Durban next month, we are working hard to make sure that at least eight to ten countries will use KwaZulu-Natal as their home ground during the soccer World Cup,” he added.
The presence of the South Korean delegation, headed by chairman of the Trapeace Holding International, Mr Tiger Kwon, has shown the success of the two countries working as a team.
“This is the first delegation from South Korea to KwaZulu-Natal, as our country is in the fast lane; we want to share our experience and knowledge that has led us to becoming a world class,” said Mr Kwon.
Another memorandum of understanding was signed with the Development Bank of South Africa (DBSA) on the sustainable government projects.
uMshati Municipality, described as semi-rural area within sugar cane fields and timber forest was reported to have a very low revenue base. Mr Ndebele said the intention was to help develop the municipality in an intensive manner that was underpinned by two-pronged approach.
He said this would be done with Local Economic Development strategy with tangible economic development lead project. Also identified was the strategic partnership for strengthening administration management, governance and investment in the municipality.
The Premier described KwaZulu-Natal as one of the most investor-friendly regions. He said: “KwaZulu-Natal is the largest province in the country and very rich in natural resources and it also boosts two of the largest harbors”.
Mr Ndebele said although KZN produced lots of timber, the majority of their production was exported and manufactured (into furniture) by other countries where, in turn, such countries bought the furniture.
“As government is also one of those markets, we have almost 3 million learners who are attending school and needed furniture.
“If we manufactured our own furniture, we will now be able to create numerous jobs for our people,” the Premier said.
