SPEDU NationalConference starts today

CALISTUS KOLANTSHO
Correspondent | Thursday January 28, 2010 00:00

The conference is expected to attract ministries that are critical to the programme, Members of Parliament from Tswapong North, Bobirwa, Mmadinare, Selebi-Phikwe East and West Constituencies. The private sector, members of the diplomatic corps and those from the civil society and non-government organisations operating in the region are also expected to attend the conference. SPEDU Marketing and Communications Director, Wazha Tema, said in an interview that at least 301 delegates have confirmed their attendance and preparations went the way they had planned. Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Kenneth Matambo will officially open the conference and closing remarks will be done by the Minister of Minerals, Energy and Water Resources who is also the Member of Parliament for Mmadinare, Ponatshego Kedikilwe.

Tema said the conference is in line with the recommendations of the European Union study on the economic diversification of Selebi-Phikwe and the subsequent strategic plan adopted by government in 2007. He noted that SPEDU is charged with organising the conference on the diversification of the economy of this town. 'SPEDU was set up with the aim of securing long term survival of Selebi-Phikwe and the surrounding regions, beyond the closure of the BCL Mine, through actions and initiatives which will bring sustainable new employment and investment to the town and hence broaden and underpin its economic and social base,' says Tema.

He explained that the stakeholders will deliberate on the proposed diversification programme and come out with a robust action plan and national commitment on implementing the programme.  Tema said the conference will also discuss the regional economic diversification programme for the SPEDU region and provide a forum for the stakeholders and ministries to present their programmes and projects that support the diversification of the regional economy during the National Development Plan 10.  Prior to the conference, SPEDU held consultative meetings with the business community from Selebi-Phikwe and Mmadinare. The agency also consulted with councillors from the five constituencies that make this region and their views on the programme will be presented at the conference.