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25 November 2008

Networking and identifying potential business linkages are key in ensuring that the 2010 FIFA World Cup yields success in the province. The Department of Economic Development and Environmental Affairs (DEDEA) is participating in the Soccerex exhibition taking place in Johannesburg from 23 to 27 November 2008, at the Sandton Convention Centre as a strategy to lobby and benchmark its efforts compared to its counterparts.

DEDEA has been at the forefront in co-ordinating logistical arrangements to showcase provincial opportunities in tourism, business and overall provincial readiness to host the FIFA World Cup in 2010 and beyond.

"There is a lot of exposure that we have gained so far which assists us to check the progress made by other provinces and countries that have hosted the world cup. This enables us to learn best practice ideas in implementing projects geared towards bringing about and to mobilise communities to exploit spin offs across business sectors. Our strategy is to ensure that we are able to forge business linkages which will assist in unpacking much needed business opportunities for the province as Soccerex provides such platform," said Palesa Kadi, Senior Manager, 2010 Projects Co-ordination Unit at DEDEA.

A partnership has been forged with DEDEA public entities which include the Eastern Cape Parks, Eastern Cape Tourism Board and Eastern Cape Development Corporation to present a united front. Other key stakeholders include provincial departments and institutions like the Office of the Premier, Sport, Recreation Arts and Culture, Host City Nelson Mandela Bay, Buffalo City Municipality and the only provincial football club in the professional soccer league, Bay United.

The list of projects planned for implementation across the province for 2010 soccer spectacular event includes:

* language training and skills
* 2010 tourism ambassador program
* visitor information centres
* Eastern Cape tourism and marketing
* provincial tourism signage
* 2010 district business opportunities workshops
* the 2010 incubator project
* 2010 public viewing areas

"Preparations for implementation of these projects is at an advanced stage. Our efforts are geared towards ensuring that opportunities are spread across for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to meaningfully benefit the identified projects," said Kadi.

Issued by: Eastern Cape Provincial Government
25 November 2008
Source: Eastern Cape Provincial Government (http://www.ecpg.gov.za)