On Tuesday 15th September, 25 leaders of business, education and economic development from across Suffolk and Norfolk attended a business dinner at Aviva’s Marble Hall in Norwich, in honour of a visit from His Excellency The High Commissioner for South Africa, Mr Obed Mlaba.
The dinner, was the finale in one day programme co-ordinated by New Anglia LEP, in partnership with Norfolk and Suffolk County Councils, designed to help forge stronger connections and expand business and educational opportunities between the Eastern Region and South Africa.
Lindsey Rix, Chief Operating Officer of the UK & Ireland General Insurance business, Aviva and Board Member of New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership, who hosted the business dinner said:
“South Africa is the most developed economy in the continent and there is a very strong appetite for trade, investment and engagement with businesses.
“There is a great deal we have in common. This includes a strong commitment to education, the importance of renewable and offshore energy and developing the green economy. So, His Excellency’s visit was a really exciting opportunity to develop even stronger links to expand our educational, trade and investment potential and cultural opportunities.”
His Excellency said:
“We were delighted to visit the Eastern Region and create fruitful linkages in the areas of education, renewable energy and the ocean economy. South Africa is looking for partners through trade and investment opportunities between South Africa and East Anglia and has created strong connections.”
Suffolk
In the morning, Stuart Bannerman, Director of UCS International at University Campus Suffolk hosted an event for the High Commissioner, which was organised by Suffolk County Council.
This included presentations on Suffolk and Norfolk’s green economy and renewable energy, presented by Johnathan Reynolds of Nautilus Associates and a member of New Anglia’s Green Economy Board.
His Excellency also met with Tim Hunt, Managing Director of the UK University Consortium for Africa and businesses keen to do business in South Africa including Jason Hawkins-Row, CEO of Aponic, which creates vertical plant growing systems, a pioneering fibre optic cable provider and a telecoms planning solutions company.
Norfolk
On his visit to Norfolk, which was organised by Norfolk County Council, His Excellency visited the University of East Anglia’s (UEA) new Enterprise Centre and met with Richard Harvey, Academic Director of Admissions and Internationalisation. The High Commissioner learnt about the work of the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change, Ocean Biochemistry and opportunities for forging links between Universities in South Africa and the UEA.
Meetings were arranged with seven local companies keen to expand their trade links with South Africa or start doing business in the country. This included businesses operating in the areas of environment, food, engineering and publishing.
The High Commissioner, who has a keen interest in sport, also visited Norwich City Community Sports Foundation and met David McNally, Chief Executive of Norwich City Football Club.