INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT
Round table discussions will focus on enabling public-private sector collaboration to achieve KwaZulu-Natal’s development milestones for infrastructure
Photo by: Duane Daws
The second annual KZN Construction Expo will gather thousands of construction professionals, government officials and investors to support infrastructure development, service delivery, and the development partnerships and industry transformation currently underway in the province.
KwaZulu-Natal is realising its vision to become a prosperous province and a gateway to Africa and the world. The province contributes about 16% to South Africa’s gross domestic product and boasts the highest export propensity and level of industrialisation in the country. Recent developments in KwaZulu-Natal include R576-million being set aside by the eThekwini municipality for infrastructure repair.
The expo provides an unprecedented opportunity to access the province’s building and construction value chain. There will be seven exhibition zones dedicated to concrete; construction and digital construction; mechanical, electrical and plumbing services; surfaces and finishes; smart buildings and tools and equipment. Free-to-attend training sessions will provide an opportunity for capacity building, business networking and knowledge transfer amidst construction professionals of all disciplines operating in the province.
The training programme will feature two panel discussions focused on building compliance and approval, and Afrocentric design. The roundtable discussion will focus on enabling public-private sector collaboration to achieve KwaZulu-Natal’s development milestones for infrastructure and service delivery.
The event will also feature the Stakeholder Engagement Forum that unites members of executive councils and development experts to engage with the audience on issues affecting the state of the local industry. This forum is a unique opportunity to drive new investment into KwaZulu-Natal, identify new construction business opportunities, and drive local development for the province.
Industry transformation is at the top of the agenda for 2018 and will be highlighted during the various interactive presentations and training workshops. South Africa’s largest building and construction industry federation the National African Federation for the Building Industry national president Aubrey Tshalata will address the audience on the topic of enterprise development. Another notable speaker is fund management company KZN Growth Fund CEO Aubrey Shabane. Event sponsor and supporter Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry will highlight opportunities for small, medium-sized and microenterprises within KwaZulu-Natal’s construction sector.
Crane company Unic Mini-Cranes and concrete equipment supplier Carmix are confirmed silver sponsors, as is bronze sponsor water leak detection equipment sales and repairs company SA Leak Detection. The event will host more than 60 exhibiting companies and 20 association partners, including the Concrete Society of South Africa, Master Builders KwaZulu-Natal, South African Council for Architectural Professions, The Concrete Institute and the Southern Africa Ready-Mix Association.
The KZN Construction Expo is the only multidisciplinary show for KwaZulu-Natal’s built environment focusing on buyer and seller engagements through free-to-attend content and face-to-face interactions under one roof. Attendees range from small contractors through to architects, quantity surveyors, property developers, government and industry associations.
The expo will run from February 7 to 8 at the Durban Exhibition Centre.