By Nangamso Mabindla
23 September 2004

AN 18-man Chinese delegation that concluded a visit to Buffalo City this week was impressed by the investment potential of the region.

The delegation from Jinhua municipality in the People's Republic of China visited the city to build relationships with the municipality and local businesses, with a view to exchanging investment opportunities between the two cities. The delegation consisted of city officials and business representatives.

Speaking at a business seminar held at the East London Golf Club on Monday, 20 September, Buffalo City's mayor Sindisile Maclean thanked the Chinese delegates: "It shows your commitment in assisting us bring a better life to our people. We can only better people's lives by creating employment for them."

He added that foreign investors would bring in much-needed foreign exchange - and that such international partnerships held the key to unlocking the doors of employment opportunities for local residents.

Buffalo City, Maclean said, had a lot to offer investors, especially in terms of infrastructure with good roads and communication systems, a municipality determined to aid development, and a wide range of local and international corporations. The main economic sectors in the region included the manufacturing industry, commerce, engineering and construction, tourism and forestry and timber.

"It is evident that good relationships exist at all levels and the future of business is secured in this region," added Border Kei Chamber of Business chief executive, Les Holbrook.

Of particular interest to the group from China was the East London Industrial Development Zone (IDZ).

IDZ chief executive Simphiwe Kondlo said: "The IDZ is in its phase 1 of development, finalising basic infrastructure and developing about 400 hectors of land in the West Bank." The IDZ will in future further develop at least 1 500 hectares of land to provide potential investors with enough space to operate.

"We are also very well-positioned for exporters. The IDZ is two kilometres from the airport and four kilometres from the port," he said.

However, Kondlo pointed out, that the rail network between East London and Gauteng needed to be refurbished to maximise the possibility of transporting goods smoothly to inland destinations. "We're looking to refurbish that line so that we can show our support to corporations like DaimlerChrysler and other partners."

Chan Kunzhong from the Jinhua municipality said the delegates were impressed with the opportunities the city offered business, especially in the pharmaceutical industry which was one of the biggest business sectors in their city.

"We are encouraged about what we've seen so far and hope that business links between the two cities will now be opened," he said through an interpreter.