The Buffalo City Metropolitan Development Agency an entity to the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality hosted its third annual investment conference at the East London International Convention Centre. The three-day event with the theme focusing on “Power Partnerships” in line with the Agency’s slogan ‘growing a better city together’ commenced from the 27th to the 29th of November 2019. Various stakeholders from both the private and public sector were invited to the conference.
Opening the event, the BCMM Executive Mayor Cllr Xola Pakati gave the way forward from the previous conference presenting the new BCMDA major developments and Investment Promotion by leading the charge through public investment.
The first day of the conference focused on making the BCMM a conducive environment for investment through developed tourism infrastructure, property development and City revitalization.
Topics discussed on the first day include the following:
- Partnerships and investing in the BCMM
- Business Improvement Districts (BIDS)
- Prospective Development in the BCMM
Second day of the conference focused on property development as an engine for growth and growing the local economy through tourism development. Presentations were made, dwelling on structuring property deals for effective urban development. The key points of discussion for the second day were on financing development and the promotion of local tourism through events and sponsorships. Discussing tourism as an engine for growth, Mark Castel from Stormtroopers presented creative approaches to brand activation and how to build events.
Various speakers presented challenges and opportunities in Property development in the inner city and finding creative solutions for property development.
After the discussions the following were the main outcomes of the investment conference:
- Promotion of property development
- Financing support for business
- Tourism development and promotion
The second day was closed with a stakeholder networking gala dinner. The conference ended on the last day with a site visit to various tourism areas within the Buffalo City.