Mpumalanga Premier, Mr. Mandla Ndlovu, on Tuesday hosted the Consul General of India, Mr. S Koventhan, and his delegation at the Riverside Government Complex in Mbombela, where discussions focused on strengthening cooperation between the province and India in investment, skills development, trade and job creation.
The courtesy visit, held in the EXCO Boardroom, was attended by Members of the Executive Council, the Director-General and Heads of Department. Premier Ndlovu said the seventh administration is focused on accelerating inclusive economic growth, supporting local manufacturing and creating sustainable employment, with India identified as an important partner in these efforts.
Premier Ndlovu said the province is looking to deepen its economic relationship with India by identifying practical areas of cooperation that can support local businesses, expand market access and create employment. He highlighted India’s One District One Product initiative as a model that could be explored in Mpumalanga’s three districts, given their different economic strengths. He said such an approach could help strengthen rural economies and support small, medium and micro enterprises. The Premier also emphasised that market access must work in both directions, with Mpumalanga businesses, particularly those owned by young people and women, able to access the Indian market with agricultural and manufactured products.
Skills development was also identified as a key area for cooperation, particularly in addressing the gap between the qualifications of unemployed graduates and the skills required by industry. Premier Ndlovu said the province needs to strengthen entrepreneurship development and research, while ensuring that skills programmes are linked to actual employment opportunities. He also highlighted the potential for cooperation in green energy and other forms of energy generation as the province works to diversify its energy economy and support the transition to cleaner energy.
The Premier further stressed the need to create an environment that makes it easier for investors to establish businesses in Mpumalanga. He said government must remove unnecessary barriers and ensure that potential investors receive the necessary support from the province. With Mpumalanga targeting the creation of close to 300,000 jobs, he said stronger partnerships with Indian businesses could contribute to achieving this target.
Mr Koventhan said the engagement with Mpumalanga must develop into a structured and lasting partnership. He highlighted the potential for Indian companies to contribute not only through investment, but also through skills transfer and job creation.
Discussions included several areas for cooperation, including entrepreneurship development, skills development and training, scholarships and job placement, mining, green energy, technology, tourism, infrastructure and broader economic development. The discussions also covered opportunities to strengthen cooperation in tourism, infrastructure and technology.
The engagement will be followed by a business networking seminar this evening, where more than 20 delegates from the India Business Forum will engage with the Mpumalanga business sector. The seminar will provide an opportunity for local businesses to learn more about trade relations between South Africa and India, engage potential business partners and explore opportunities for trade and investment.