Successful dinners with Premier, Mayor and CEOs
One of the key aims of Accelerate Cape Town is to facilitate direct dialogue between influential business leaders and senior government leaders. One way to do this is to bring them together in a small and informal dinner environment where serious issues can be discussed. The first of these dinners was held in October, when a small group of CEOs had dinner with Mayor Helen Zille. The businesses represented included Sekunjalo, Safmarine, Spur, Nedbank, Mallinicks, Capespan, Coronation, KPMG, Ernst & Young, BBDO, Associated Magazines and Interactive Africa. Discussion focused on how business can participate more actively in making the most of the opportunities presented by the 2010 World Cup. The Mayor stated that she is keen to work with the private sector to deliver 2010 as effectively as possible. As a direct outcome of the dinner, the Mayor is organising a workshop to discuss potential involvement by business in the 2010 fan parks. Accelerate Cape Town is co-ordinating business involvement in the workshop. The dinner with Premier Ebrahim Rasool was held on the 20th November 2007. Businesses represented included amongst other Pepkor, I&J, Allan Gray, Dubai World, Woolworths Holdings, KPMG, Nedbank, Ernst & Young, Mallinicks, Cape Times and the Cape Town Partnership. The Premier acknowledged that the political divisions between City and Province has adversely affected business confidence in the Region and that Accelerate Cape Town could be the vehicle to establish common points between the Province and the City. The Premier also said that 2010 provided business with an opportunity to connect with international business visitors and potential investors. He also stated that business and government should encourage owners of tourism businesses to invest in increasing their capacity prior to 2010. Guy Lundy, ACT CEO, pointed out that Accelerate Cape Town is in the process of creating an International Business Club, to give international business visitors the platform and opportunities to interact with local business people. The dinners were sponsored by one of our members, Ernst and Young. Issued by Linton Rensburg on behalf of Accelerate Cape Town
Date Created: 2007-11-27 |
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