The Mercury

R106-trillion Halaal industry set to create more than 450 000 jobs in KZN

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'2/7).' AT A RATE OF EACH YEAR the R106-trillion Halaal industry is set to create more than 450 000 jobs in KwaZulu-Natal.

(EADLINING THE 4RADE AND )NVESTment Indaba that opened at the Durban )## ON -ARCH THE (ALAAL INDUSTRY S key focus was driving local entreprene­urs, creatives, and industry captains towards the Halaal-based principles for conducting business and rapidly creating jobs.

The investment indaba welcomed more

THAN DELEGATES FROM COUNTRIES

Phumzile Langeni, of the Presidenti­al Investment Envoy for South Africa, said the Halaal industry’s partnershi­p with the KZN government was indicative of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s aspiration­s to bring in new business as he intended when he launched the national investment SUMMIT IN

“The task of mobilising capital is never-ending; it requires us to up our game so that we remain relevant, competitiv­e and investment-friendly. It is imperative that we effect much-needed re-force that will drive investment and ultimately create sustainabl­e employment. The key ingredient­s are a strong regulatory environmen­t, an agile and responsive government as well as safety and security.

“The president, in his establishm­ent of THE INVESTMENT SUMMIT OF HAD THE same aspiration­s for his presidency. KwaZulu-Natal has been offered an incredible opportunit­y to pursue such new business ventures with Halaal Day, as it coincides with the presidenti­al investment goals. From the conversati­on, may it grow to something substantia­l which will see the province’s economy grow exponentia­lly,” said Langeni.

Delivering the keynote address, the MEC for Economic Developmen­t, Tourism and Environmen­tal Affairs, Ravi Pillay said that apartheid had disconnect­ed the country from the rest of the world, thus creating a space where there could not be full exploitati­on of the country’s potential.

“One of the effects of the apartheid government was its isolation of South Africa from the rest of the world, making it impossible for people to fully explore outside of the usual market. But we are lucky that within the global sphere there are partners willing to create investment relations with the country.”

The investment indaba would ensure KZN was at the forefront of the national Reconstruc­tion and Recovery Plan for the South African economy.

“We are bringing together business, labour, civil society and local government to bring forward the national reconstruc­tion and transforma­tion plan. The plan says we must celebrate and recognise our diversity, while investing in each other across all the 14 sectors stipulated in the plan. The Halaal sector is a critical part of it, as we have noted incredible economic growth that exists in it,” said Pillay.

In total, the Halaal industry has INVESTED 2 BILLION SINCE IN VARious business sectors, which is expected to produce more than 450 000 jobs in KwaZulu-Natal over a period of five years.

 ?? ?? Nonhlanhla Joye, the founder and director of the Umgibe Farming Organics and Training Institute, took part in the Trade and Investment Indaba exhibition. She grows chillies from seeds to seedlings, and then refines them into spice once they have dried out. Photograph­er: Tumi Pakkies/African News Agency (ANA)
Nonhlanhla Joye, the founder and director of the Umgibe Farming Organics and Training Institute, took part in the Trade and Investment Indaba exhibition. She grows chillies from seeds to seedlings, and then refines them into spice once they have dried out. Photograph­er: Tumi Pakkies/African News Agency (ANA)

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