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Programme Director
Distinguished Guests
Ladies and Gentlemen

It gives me great pleasure to bear witness to this occasion where we as the Northern Cape Government forge a new, more co-operative relationship with one of the country's foremost banking institutions namely Standard Bank.

Today's event marks the renewal of our public, private sector partnership with the Standard Bank Group. The warding of the provincial government's account is based on the bank's previous and future commitment to implement sustainable development in this province.

Among the development issues under discussion between the province and the bank include the launch of a Trade and Investment Fund, capacity building programmes for SMME's and Black Economic Empowerment companies.

This effort also includes a campaign to promote investments in the province and capacity building programmes for officials and members of the Legislature and local Government.

The signing of this agreement represents the completion of one more step forward in our journey to conduct banking operations with a distinguished financial institution.

I am proud to announce that the provincial Government will be carrying this partnership forward for the duration of this contract.

I am confident that the opportunities afforded by this agreement, will be grasped by all for the benefit of the people and the province at large.

In conclusion, I would like to thank all those that have contributed to the timely completion of this agreement, which I believe, is to the satisfaction of all concerned.

I thank you

Issued by Northern Cape Provincial Government

24 March 2003

Source: Northern Cape Provincial Government (http://www.northern-cape.gov.za)