Document: iLembe DM: 2008 Growth and Development Summit Report

The iLembe 2008 Growth and Development Summit was conducted under the banner of “BUILDING A PARTNERSHIP FOR SUSTAINABLE GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT”.

The two day programme in May 2008 was accordingly designed to bring the private and public sectors together in open discussion and interaction. The welcoming address of the Hon. Mayor read by the Deputy Mayor stressed this cooperative approach of the iLembe District Municipality in the following way:

“In March 2006 at the inauguration of the new Council of iLembe District, we said: The District will convene growth and development summit that will bring together all major social partners to identify concrete things that they will do to make local economic development a reality.

I’m very pleased that, today we are gathered here as partners, government, business, labour and community based formations to address issues of common interest under the theme: “Building a partnership for sustainable growth and development”

I sincerely believe that as social partners, we share a common destiny and we must do everything that we can to build a better life for all.”

The four sessions of the of the two day programme dealt with a report by the public sector on progress made since the 2007 GDS; a review of the main economic sectors of the municipality by the private sector; a report by the major development corporations operating in the municipality and a open session to plan for a programme of action for 2008/9.