Editor: With all these rumours running rife areound the imminent removal of Executive Mayor Gary van Niekerk to be replaced by an ANC deployee one would think that this trip for Gary and Oscar is a pretty expenxive way for them to have a private meeting – surely the Phoenix Hotel could hire them a room for an hour or two at a much reduced cost? To be fair though – the trip is perobably being paid for by the Eastern Cape Government which is just another way of obfuscating and saying that because it is not wasteful and fruitless expenditure using ratepayers money then, surrly, it cannot be wasteless and fruitless expenditure if it is taxpayer money buying the soon to be ex lovers trinkets!
Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Executive Mayor Gary van Niekerk will be part of a high-level Eastern Cape contingent, led by Premier Oscar Mabuyane, to Zhejiang Province next week.
In an invitation letter to the Office of the Executive Mayor, Premier Mabuyane wrote: “Given the existing cooperation between the NMBM [Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality] and the City of Ningbo, I would be delighted if the Executive Mayor could join our delegation for the forthcoming visit to China”.
Business leaders, Executive Mayors from other Eastern Cape municipalities and senior officials of government entities will form part of the team focused on cementing relations, fostering cooperation and reinforcing outcomes of previous engagements from August 24 until 31.
“I engaged with Premier Mabuyane regarding his invitation on Monday, citing a number of challenges I am addressing locally, but the Premier insisted that my attendance will be necessary to consolidate our continuous engagements with our Chinese partners. “We will also sign a memorandum of understanding with the Zhejiang Province and the Zjejiang Normal University that will position the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality and the Eastern Cape Province, in particular, favourably.
“Our Mayoral Committee and the Troika of Council concluded earlier this week that I honour the invitation to ensure that the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality is not left behind.
“Even though Nelson Mandela Bay is the biggest contributor to the Gross Domestic Product of the Eastern Cape, we cannot rest on our laurels when it comes to grabbing new opportunities “Our residents depend on us to create enabling environments for growth, development and prosperity,” Executive Mayor Gary van Niekerk said.
The East Cape Government released this statement:
Premier Mabuyane To Lead High-Level Official And Business Delegation To China For Strategic Economic Diplomacy
Eastern Cape Premier Lubabalo Oscar Mabuyane is set to embark on a strategic visit to China, leading a high-level delegation of officials and business leaders to the provinces of Heilongjiang and Zhejiang from August 24 to 31, 2024.
This pivotal trip aims to cement economic diplomacy and position the Eastern Cape as a prime destination for global trade, investment, and tourism.
During the two-stage visit, Premier Mabuyane and his delegation will engage in high-level talks with leaders from both provinces to explore potential areas of cooperation across multiple sectors. Key focus areas include agriculture, energy, e-commerce, tourism, nature conservation, the electric vehicle value chain, artificial intelligence, industrial park efficiency, people-to-people relations, and reciprocal workforce placement.
The delegation will also pursue business networking opportunities to promote Eastern Cape exports and attract investment, further solidifying the province’s global footprint.
A significant aspect of the visit is the exploration of potential cooperation with Heilongjiang Province, which has recently expressed interest in establishing long-term relations with the Eastern Cape.
Discussions will focus on forging partnerships in education, heritage, trade, investment, and tourism, building on the province’s existing relationship with Zhejiang Province. The Eastern Cape and Zhejiang have a long-standing partnership, fostering cooperation in areas such as trade, economic collaboration, science, technology, sports, culture, health, and education.
Earlier this year, the Eastern Cape hosted Vice-Governor Dr. Lu Shan of Zhejiang Province, marking a significant step in restoring cooperation interrupted by the global COVID-19 pandemic. The visit underscores the Provincial Government’s commitment to expanding its global footprint, driving socio-economic transformation, and unlocking opportunities for the people of the province.
Premier Mabuyane emphasized the significance of the visit, stating, “The trip to China represents a pivotal moment for the Eastern Cape as we seek to strengthen our economic ties and open new opportunities for trade, investment, and tourism. By engaging directly with our counterparts in Heilongjiang and Zhejiang provinces, we are not only reaffirming our existing partnerships but also paving the way for future collaborations that will benefit our communities and drive sustainable growth.”
Finance MEC Mlungisi Mvoko was this morning sworn in as Acting Premier, for the duration of Premier Mabuyane’s working visit to China. This is to ensure continuity in provincial governance.
NMB Communications
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