LIMPOPO province is ready to host a prestigious three-day International Investor Conference, from August 27 to 29, this year.

This was announced by the MEC for Finance and Economic Development, Thaba Mufamadi, in Polokwane on Wednesday.

The conference is expected to attract close to 500 delegates from both national and international arenas, and will include representatives from business chambers, embassies, district councils, associations, export councils and government. As one of the fastest growing provinces in South Africa, Limpopo is well placed to host such a high-profile event. During 2001, the province contributed approximately 6.5% to national output, achieving an annual growth rate of 6.3%. The province recorded the highest average annual economic growth rate between 1995 and 2001 of 3.8%.

The Investor Conference is part of the province's strategic intervention to accelerate its programme of raising awareness about investment opportunities available here. "As the jewel of South Africa's provinces, we aim to raise awareness about investment opportunities in Limpopo province and to facilitate the negotiation of provincial investment transactions," said Mufamadi. Outlining the conference objectives, Mufamadi said a five-pronged approach had been identified.

These are: identification of prospective investors; information-sharing on the competitive advantages of Limpopo province; earmarking selected production clusters and flagship projects to potential investors; introducing investors to four competitive sectors and areas of the provincial economy; and encouraging and supporting the signing of investor agreements.

A number of key speakers will address core issues at the conference. Pres Thabo Mbeki is expected to give the keynote address, accompanied by Reserve Bank Governor, Tito Mboweni and Limpopo Premier Adv Ngoako Ramatlhodi. Other guest speakers will include the CEO of the Development Bank of Southern Africa, Mandla Gantsho, Business Map South Africa, Jenny Cargill and Ben Mphahlele from the Department of Finance and Economic Development. Topics under discussion will be The New Partnership for Africa's Development (Nepad), a Monetary Framework for Investment in SA, Economic Growth Projections and Current Investment Patterns in the SA Economy, and an overview of the Limpopo provincial economy.

Breakaway sessions will deal specifically with the four key economic growth sectors, namely mining, agri-business, tourism and infrastructure, followed by informal floor discussions.

Potential investors will have access to a number of projects through organised site tours to three of the key sectors.

These include projects in Agribusiness at Tzaneen and Mooketsi, mining in the Dilokong Corridor and tourism at the Waterberg Biosphere. A highlight of the three-day event will be the Premier's Gala Dinner to be held at the Ranch Hotel on 28 August. The guest speaker at that event will be Trade and Industry Minister, Alec Erwin. The conference will conclude with a morning and afternoon Press Briefing on August 29. Trade & Investment Limpopo (TIL) chairman, Mashadu Ramaano, expects that the conference will raise Limpopo's profile even more.

"We are excited at the prospect of hosting such a prominent event and we are confident that we will generate increased investor interest in an already thriving province," said Ramaano.