Pretoria – Invest SA’s win of the global investment promotion award is recognition by investors that South Africa is the regional hub and gateway to the African continent, says Trade and Industry Minister Rob Davies.
Minister Davies said the award is also in recognition of government’s efforts to strengthen its investment strategy to provide a one stop service to all investors.
This, as Minister Davies received the Global Investment Promotion Agency (IPA) Award at the World Investment Forum and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) 14 Conference on behalf of Invest SA in Nairobi, Kenya.
“This global award follows similar accolades that Invest SA has garnered in a short time. The Invest SA approach is a public private sector initiative of President Zuma that allows for business and the public sector to work together in facilitating increased investment.
“Invest SA is leading the overall coordination and facilitation of unblocking, fast tracking and reducing red tape in government,” said Minister Davies on Monday.
The award seeks to recognise best practice in IPAs or association of IPAs in forging partnerships to promote FDI that contributes to sustainable development.
Since 2002, UNCTAD has been presenting investment promotion awards, recognising best practices and achievements of IPAs. The 2016 award was in terms of excellence in partnering for investment promotion.
Minister Davies said with the establishment of Invest SA, government has enhanced intergovernmental coordination and facilitation to fast track, unblock and reduce red tape.
“Invests SA is supported by an Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) on investment and this approach is beginning to yield results. This is a proud moment for South Africa and significant achievement for Invest SA to be declared the winner from 51 Investment Promotion Agencies,” said Minister Davies.
Minister Davies commented that Invest SA is now leading the investment promotion and facilitation efforts in government.
The award recognised the efforts of Invest SA to provide focussed support in attracting investment projects in the green economy and sustainable development.
Minister Davies arrived in Kenya at the weekend to participate in the 14 UNCTAD conference and the World Investment Forum (WIF) 2016 which concludes on Friday.
The week-long meeting brings together Heads of State and Government, ministers and other prominent representatives of business, civil society and academia to tackle global trade and economic development issues. – SAnews.gov.za
