POLOKWANE – In a strategy to market and promote existing investment opportunities in Limpopo, the premier of the province, Mr Sello Moloto, jetted off to the People’s Republic of China last Saturday, with a 17-member government and business delegation.

Part of the visit is the consolidation and strengthening of existing ties with Anhui Province while, on the other hand, entering into new agreements with the Henan Province. In 2000, a memorandum of understanding focusing on trade and the sharing of experience and knowledge in the fields of economy, agriculture, mining and tourism was signed with the Anhui province of China.

Moloto and his delegation will also explore the possibility of extending co-operation to other important fields such as science, technology and education as they interact with other provinces during the visit. The high-profile government and business delegation will also visit the Anhui, Hanan, Shanghai and Beijing provinces.

In Shanghai, where the South African Tourism Week will take place, the delegation will, through the Limpopo pavilion, have the opportunity to showcase, the potential of Limpopo’s strategic economic growth points in mining, agriculture and tourism. According to Mogale Nchabeleng, spokesperson of Premier Sello Moloto, the exhibition will also help to brand and profile Limpopo Province positively. “More importantly, it will attract potential tourists, trade and investment in order to realise the objectives of our Provincial Growth and Development Strategy,” he claimed.

Nchabaleng said that the delegation will also hold meetings with institutions such as the China International Trust and Investment Corporation, Beijing Tourism Group, China Council for the Promotion of International Trade and China Mining Association. Part of the delegation in China are the MEC for Economic Development, Environment and Tourism, Mr Collins Chabane, Acting Director General of the Provincial Administration, Dr Phuti Pheme, CEO of Trade and Investment Limpopo, Joe Mathebula, Benny Boshielo of Limpopo Tourism and Parks Board and Mr Stan Mathabatha, managing director of Limpopo Development Enterprise (Limdev).

On September 29, the premier and a delegation, including the head of the Department of Health and Social Development, Dr Nelly Manzini, will proceed to Japan’s Okinawa Province. Nchabeleng said that, in Japan, the delegation will be hosted by the Okinawa Province and will have an opportunity to attend a Charity Concert organised by a Japanese non-governmental organisation known as Wonderful Entertainment Okinawa. He said that the concert would be held in support of South Africa in its fight against HIV/Aids. All the proceeds from the concert will be used for HIV infected South African children and their families, particularly in Limpopo.