FRIDAY, 12 OCTOBER 2001: The Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr Alec Erwin, and the Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Mr Mohammed Valli Moosa, will announce a financial-incentives package for private-sector tourism investment in the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park at a function to be held on Monday, 15 October 2001 at 16h00 at The Grace Hotel in Rosebank, Johannesburg.

The tourism business opportunities arising from the Lubombo Spatial Development Initiative (SDI) range from beach resorts and game lodges to boutique hotels, and are designed to help establish South Africa’s first World Heritage Site as a destination of international repute.

This groundbreaking move includes a one-stop shop for finance by these institutions and government, and is supported by the Development Bank of Southern Africa, Khula Enterprise Finance and the Industrial Development Corporation.

The launch will be attended by Mr Ngqula of the IDC, Mr Gantsho of the DBSA and Mr Tati of Khula Enterprise Finance, who, together with the Department of Trade and Industry, have played a central role in the development of this innovative financing concept.

To mark this occasion, a memorandum of understanding will be signed by all the parties and agencies.

Members of the media are invited to attend this important event, which will be held on Monday, 15 October 2001 from 16h00 to 17h30 at The Grace Hotel, Rosebank, Johannesburg.