F or Lindiwe Rakharebe CEO of Durban ICC South Africa finds itself at a piv otal point in its history Although the country is currently enjoying a time of business confidence we will still face com plex challenges in the years ahead she says Our industry will play a critical role in facilitating the solutions to the respective problems she talks of a silver lining After all the MICE industry has long been a shin ing growth driver For the past eleven years a study has been performed each year to quantify the influence of Durban ICC on the local and national economies The consult ing firm Grant Thornton South Africa was appointed to conduct the 2017 report The experts analysed various key macro eco nomic indicators Last year Durban ICC con tributed nearly 4 9 billion rand 330 million euros to South Africa s GDP At the same time its activities generated tax revenues to the tune of almost 19 million euros In addition more than 11 000 jobs were created directly or indirectly in 2017 alone The total annual payroll for these jobs amounts to just under 60 million euros Dur ban ICC can also be pleased with its own good results as a look at the balance sheet shows The company presented a solid set of financial results for the past fiscal year end ed 30 June 2017 This is all the more re markable because the economic environ ment was rather challenging Although the local economy dipped into recession Dur ban ICC was able to increase its revenue by six per cent And its net profit after taxation even grew by 30 per cent Because cost control was on the agenda operating expen diture remained below budget www icc co za PB 50 TradeFairs Internation al 2 2018 INTERNATIONAL SOUTH AFRICA Shining silver lining Since its opening almost 21 years ago Durban ICC has been a catalyst for economic development generating tax revenues and creating jobs A time of renewed optimism Lindiwe Rakharebe CEO of Durban ICC talks about the economic climate the impacts on the events business and current agenda of her centre How is the eco nomic mood in South Africa Thankfully the econo my has shown signs of recovery and has pulled out of the pre vious recession We are enjoying a time of renewed optimism in the country A new president was recently appointed in South Africa as well as a set of cabinet ministers In addition the ratings agency Moody s In vestors Service confirmed South Africa s in vestment rating at Baa3 and changed the country s outlook to stable What does this mean for trade fairs and congresses in South Africa The mentioned developments bode well for the continued growth in our exhibition and congress industry This continues to in stil further confidence in international event organisers to bring their events to South Africa What events are on Durban ICC s agenda in 2018 We are looking forward to hosting some lovely events this year including the Inter national Telecommunications Union Con ference and ITU Telecom World 2018 exhi bition The Bio Africa Convention will make its debut and the BRICS Council will also convene here We are also particularly ex cited about hosting the World Travel Awards Africa and Indian Ocean Gala Cere mony this October We last hosted this event in 2009 so we are looking forward to welcoming back old friends colleagues and media from around the world Die ITU World Telecom findet im September im Durban ICC statt ITU World Telecom will take place at Durban ICC in September Ph ot o IT U

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