By Staff Reporter

North West Premier Thandi Modise is upbeat that the first BRICS(Brazil,Russia,India,China,South Africa) EXPO and International Trade and Tourism Conference that her province will be hosting. The four-day International Investor conference is scheduled to commence as from next week Thursday 21st February 2013 at Mmabatho Convention Centre in Mahikeng.

The conference which will create an ideal platform for the public and private sector to network and explore business opportunities with international businesses from BRICS countries is to be held under the theme “Pioneering business and investment opportunities between the BRIC countries and North West province.”

“One of the provincial priorities is to increase investment inflows into the province. Engagements with investors will afford us with opportunities to learn best practices in manufacturing, renewal energy, mining, mineral beneficiation, tourism, infrastructure development and agriculture beneficiation projects,” says Premier Modise.

According to the Premier, besides positioning the North West Province as a preferred investment destination, her province has prioritised the development of these key economic sectors to contribute towards job creation and increase contribution to our Growth Domestic Product (GDP).

Modise said that the province is looking forward to engagement and discussion with our BRIC partners at this auspicious event to further strengthen and solidify close ties in trade, tourism and investment.

About three hundred delegates are expected to converge for the International investors Conference that will be running parallel with the exhibitions that will be showcasing Provincial products and services.

Investors, Exporters, Importers, Investment Promotion Agencies, Tourism Agencies, Companies specializing in Transportation and air and freight transport, road and rail operators, courier companies, finance service providers, banks and the SMME sectors are among those who will also be able to engage in various business to business networking opportunities.

The conference is hosted by the Provincial Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism (DEDECT) in conjunction with BRICS EXPO (PTY) LTD and in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industries (the dti) and the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO)

.Members of the media are invited to cover this historic conference which is a build up to the BRIC Summit to be held.