Economically KZN is the province to be in right now - that is the word from Metro Beat's editor Peter Bendheim. He says "When one starts to take a bird's eye view of all that is either in progress or on the drawing boards, one cannot help but feel excited, positive and optimistic about the city." Some of the projects recently completed include the first phase of the 1,4 billion Suncoast Casino and R25 million Wilson's Wharf project. The latter is a project with which the main sponsor for the KwaZulu-Natal Industrial Trade Show, Ithala Development Finance Corporation (Ithala) was intimately involved.
Wellington Ngcobo, Ithala's properties executive, is enthusiastic about the potential for the region and says he regards Ithala's involvement with Reed Exhibition's KZN Industrial Trade Show as an important mechanism to generate business for industry in the region. This is the second time Ithala has been the show's main sponsor and Reed Exhibition's commercial director, Dev Naidoo, says the company is delighted to have a corporate sponsor that is obviously committed to the region. Since its inception in 1979, Ithala has invested more than R4 bn in sustainable development in KZN.
After a decade of low growth, Durban is set to benefit by capital investment projects worth more than R13 bn to be spent on both new and existing construction projects by both public and private investors. Companies from the public sector, which recently announced new projects, include the eThekwini Municipality, the Development Bank of Southern Africa, the National Ports Authority, Ithala and Telkom. In addition, a number of large companies are showing commitment to the regions development by committing to billions of rands worth of investment. These include Toyota, Mondi, McCarthy and Game.
Reed Exhibitions is also in on the act with a commitment to offering an ideal opportunity to both suppliers to industry and to industry itself to showcase their services and products, thereby further facilitating the on-going growth of both consumers' businesses and the region's economy as a whole. This particular commitment to the region's industry began in 1984 and 1985 when the first KZN Industrial Trade Shows were held. The show was subsequently held on a biennial basis and things are now hotting up for this year's show to be held at the Durban Exhibition centre from the 27-30 May 2003.
More than 60% of the exhibition space has already been sold and Reed's KZN sales executive, Zia Tomes, confirms that the mood in KZN is upbeat. "We have some exciting ideas for something new at this year's exhibition," says Tomes, adding that overall she has been extremely happy with the optimism displayed by industry in the region.
This optimism is well founded with a number of new industrial areas being developed and the Southern Industrial basin being revitalised. The go-ahead has also been given for the new international airport at La Mercy, which will initially be able to handle 4 million passengers a year. The Point Marine Park development of uShaka Island is really happening with all the earthworks being finished as well as the majority of the piling being done. Once complete the aquarium alone will contain 17 000 m3 of water making it the seventh largest of its type in the world.
And the final plus for a region often referred to as the 'Cinderella Province' is the further development at the port which will confirm Durban's status as Africa's premier port. So Cinderella is finally getting to the ball and Reed Exhibitions and Ithala will ensure that the 'slipper will fit' with what is expected to be their best ever exhibition in May this year.
For more information contact Zia Tomes, Reed Exhibitions, 082 881 2174.
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