Johannesburg, Wednesday, 4 September 2013 – Brand South Africa today interacted with business and civil society stakeholders in Johannesburg as part of preparations for South Africa’s inaugural Competitiveness Forum, to be held later in the year.
Such engagements are part of reaching out to civil society as partners, in building South Africa as a competitive, winning nation.
In delivering the opening address at the Forum, Brand South Africa CEO Miller Matola said, “the SA Competitiveness Forum is a strategic platform through which Brand South Africa intends to work with key government, business and civil-society stakeholders to identify competitive strengths and weaknesses in the SA economy. Preparations for the SA Competitiveness Forum take into consideration long-term objectives identified in the National Development Plan.” He continued that the conversation about where South Africa is currently positioned on global competitiveness indices is vital to ensuring the sustainability and durability of our democratic gains.
Speaking on conclusion of the stakeholder engagement, Brand South Africa’s Head of Research, Dr Petrus de Kock said, “We welcome and are open to input and ideas from the various sectors, as well as research from organisations, as we move towards the inaugural Competitiveness Forum. Something that came out strongly today, as it did during our East London engagement, is the important role the regions play, in the bigger picture.”
The National Development Plan is key to driving the country’s competitiveness, as South Africa develops economically and socially. To achieve this successfully, it is important that all stakeholders tackle the internal and external conditions which impact on the country’s growth.
The Competitiveness Forum will explore the following themes:
- Education, skills & labour;
- Manufacturing and related services;
- Governance and leadership;
- Infrastructure; and
- FDI competitiveness
Note to editors
Research Reference Group participants split into similar breakaway groups, where they shared expert sector-specific contributions. The outcomes of these dialogues will assist Brand South Africa to profile relevant issues at the Competitiveness Forum, and adds meaningfully to the national dialogue on South Africa’s competitiveness and international profile.
Similar consultations, which will be held around the country, are intended to mobilise and encourage stakeholders in all spheres of South African society to be part of the national conversation about the future of the country and the role that they can play. This Reference Group will be followed by one at the University of Cape Town in September.
About Brand South Africa
Brand South Africa is the official marketing agency of South Africa, with a mandate to build the country’s brand reputation, in order to improve its global competitiveness abroad. Its aim is also to build pride and patriotism among South Africans, in order to contribute to social cohesion and nation brand ambassadorship.
For more information or to set up interviews, please contact:
Nadia Samie-Jacobs
Public Relations Domestic
Tel: +27 11 712 5007 Mobile: +27 (0)72 777 9399
Email: nadias@brandsouthafrica.com
Visit: brandsouthafrica.com
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