DURBAN - Former Nigerian President Chief Olusegun Obasanjo arrived in Durban on Thursday ahead of the signing ceremony for the hosting of the 2021 Intra African Trade Fair (IATF).
He was received by member of the executive council for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (EDTEA), Ravi Pillay at the King Shaka International Airport.
Obasanjo, who is the chairman of the IATF advisory council, will together with KwaZulu-Natal premier Sihle Zikalala lead the signing ceremony at the International Convention Centre in Durban at 2pm on Thursday.
The signing ceremony will be followed by a roadshow which includes a panel discussion on the topic: Building Forward Better Post Covid-19: Promoting South Africa-Africa Trade & Investment under the AfCFTA (African Continental Free Trade Area), the spokesperson for the EDTEA Bheki Mbanjwa said.
The IATF is the biggest trade fair on the African continent and this year’s instalment in Durban is expected to generate over $40 billion in trade and investment deals.
“This ceremony paves the way for KwaZulu-Natal hosting the IATF2021 to be held in Durban from 15-21 November 2021. The event promises to be one of the biggest hosted by the country since the outbreak of Covid-19,” Mbanjwa said.
Also participating in the signing ceremony will be the President of Afreximbank, Prof. Benedict Oramah; African Union Commissioner for Economic Development, Trade, Industry and Mining Albert Muchanga; Secretary-General of the AfCFTA Wamkele Mene, KZN MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs Ravi Pillay and eThekwini Mayor Mxolisi Kaunda.
Daily News