In an effort to stimulate manufacturing, the Steel and Engineering Industries Federation of Southern Africa (SEIFSA) will host a two-day, high-level Metals and Engineering Indaba in Gauteng.

The inaugural event to take place at Emperor’s Palace on 28 and 29 May will bring together policy makers, experienced business leaders and executives, enterpreneurs, and investors.

SEIFSA Chief Executive Officer Kaizer Nyatsumba said this would be a major conference that will become a major feature on the calendar of the steel and engineering sector in the Southern African Development Community (SADC). The indaba aimed to reach the same heights as the mining indaba and wanted to encourage unhindered discussion of challenges facing the metals and engineering sector.

“The mining sector has the annual Mining Indaba, which has become synonymous with Cape Town and is attended by all players in the mining sector and the relevant Government stakeholders from different parts of the world, but especially the African continent. The metals and engineering sector, which is a vital supplier to the mining, auto and construction industries, has no such international conference of its own,” Mr Nyatsumba said.

Among the key focus areas of next year’s inaugural conference will be an update on and concrete plans related to the Government’s ambitious National Development Plan. Interested attendants, speakers, sponsors and exhibitors are encouraged to contact SEIFSA Marketing and Communications Executive, Adelia Pimentel, while there is still space.

The conference will bring together business owners, trade unionists and policymakers from across the Southern African Development Community to deliberate on turnaround strategies.

Invitations have been extended to Trade and Industry Ministers from across the SADC region and South Africa’s Minister, Dr Rob Davies, has already indicated his eagerness to participate.

Captains of industry have also been invited and will participate in panel discussions along with leading economists and trade unionists.