Call for Chennai to Durban flight
A DIRECT flight between Durban and Chennai could be in the pipeline as the city looks to strengthen ties between South Africa and India.
This emerged at a press briefing last week to announce the 4th World Tamil Economic Conference, which will be held in November at Durban’s ICC.
The conference is held in areas where there are many members of the Indian diaspora.
More than 1 000 people from across the world are expected to attend, with ministers from India, Malaysia, Singapore, Mauritius, the UK and the US having been invited.
Organisers are also trying to pin down Google boss Sundar Pichai and Pepsi’s Indra Nooyi.
Convener Dr VRS Sampath said he hoped a direct flight between Chennai and Durban would be established before the conference.
Sampath will lobby the South African government for a direct route.
“Even though South Africa gained independence in 1994, Indians have had no proper exposure to India.
“Everyone else can come here (to South Africa) so easily, but from India there is no flight. You have to first go to Dubai and wait 10 hours before flying to India,” he said.
Sampath added: “Indians should take the initiative. That’s why we want to expose the two (countries) through business opportunities and networking (at the conference).”
He said Chennai had big fashion and beauty industries, but did not trade with Durban because there was no ease of access to the country.
“If SA gets a direct flight, the youth can use each other’s facilities for work and education. It’s a win-win.” Former eThekwini speaker, Logie Naidoo, had approached the conference organisers when he attended the last conference in Chennai, for the event to be held in Durban.
He said: “It was an eye-opener in that I met a lot of business representatives, people in the education sector, various community members, and I felt it was important to bring a conference of that calibre to Durban and promote the economic linkages between India and SA.”
While the three-day conference will hold cultural events, Sampath was eager to ensure that the focus of the conference was worldwide business and networking opportunities.
“It is a chance for big business to interact with small business, for doctors, architects, business experts, higher education, research and hospitals to come together.”
Naidoo said they were trying to secure financial backing from the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Economic Development and Tourism as well as the eThekwini Municipality.