A FLOURISHING 2-DAY LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SUMMIT PROUDLY HOSTED BY AMAJUBA DISTRICT MUNICIPALITY CONCLUDED.

Amajuba - Local Economic Development is one of the key priorities and responsibilities of the Amajuba District Municipality and is therefore mandated to ensure that Amajuba as a region, creates a conducive, vibrant, and sustainable economic environment for business to thrive.

The LED Summit/ DDM workshop hosted by Amajuba District Municipality successfully brought together strategic role players in the public and private sectors including representatives from the broader sections of society.

Themed "Towards an inclusive and flourishing Amajuba District Economy," exemplified how the district development model (DDM) strategy intends to structure all government sectors to align budgeting and planning with public needs but more crucially, implement as one holistic government.

As a premeditated objective the summit aimed and was successful to forge relations with key players to explore enablers towards the growth and development for SMME’s to flourish.

The summit which officially commenced yesterday, 17 May 2023 at the Pines Wedding & Conference Village, showcased the significance of climactic partnerships for growth, with over 100 delegates in attendance and offered participants with stimulating presentations and panel discussions from various departments including Newcastle Local Municipality, the Chinese/ Taiwanese Economic Chamber, Trade & Investment KwaZulu-Natal , COGTA, EDTEA, KZN DARD, Tourism South Africa and Nedbank.

The second day of the Summit began with a recap presentation led by Mr Mark Durham of the Amajuba District Municipality. During his presentation Mr Durham detailed the perennial hinderances that continue to impede the region’s growth prospects in relation to job creation, investment and supporting local SMME’s.

In response to the identified hinderances, the panel recommended that all departments develop streamlined plan of action on the identified opportunities for the participation of emerging farmers, SMMEs, and create a framework for participation, monitoring, and evaluation.

In closure the honourable Mayor Ndabuko Zulu applauded all those in attendance and encouraged that the next Summit be hosted in the townships within the local municipalities with the aim of boosting the township economy and allowing for local entrepreneurs to showcase their product offerings.