Question NW321 to the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition
11 March 2024 - NW321
George, Dr DT to ask the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition
Whether, considering the participation of the delegation of the Republic in the World Economic Forum (WEF) 2024 that took place in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland, from 15 to 19 January 2024, his department bore the financial responsibility for the expenses of its representatives in terms of (a) accommodation, (b) air travel, (c) ground transportation and (d) any other ancillary expenses, if so, what are the relevant details in terms of the (i) total cost and (ii) breakdown thereof, if not (2) Whether the specified expense were covered by funds received from the National Treasury, if not, what is the position in this regard, if so, what are the relevant details? NW364E
Reply:
The World Economic Forum (WEF) 2024, which took place in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland, from 15 to 19 January 2024, provided South Africa an opportunity to engage international investors and policy-makers.
I was accompanied by the Acting DDG Invest SA and two DTIC permanent representatives to Geneva. The department’s appropriated budget covered all expenses.
The engagements and activities included
- More than 15 separate sessions with investors in sectors such as beverages, transport-logistics, energy, steel, engineering and retail.
- Meetings with a number of trade and economic ministers from across the world, including Norway, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Netherlands and Oman and with government advisors from Nigeria
- A meeting with the European Union Vice President and Trade Commissioner on SA-EU trade matters and on the WTO
- A session with a US Senator, covering SA-US trade and investment relations
- Participating as a speaker in panels dealing with development and with SMME promotion in value-chains
- A ‘South Africa Investment’ session hosted by Bloomberg
- Separate meetings with the Director General of the WTO and with the Secretary General of the AfCFTA
- Participation in a number of briefing sessions on global policy matters, including by the Premier of China and the US Secretary of State
- A WTO session attended by officials.
I am advised the total cost was R802 000, made up of accommodation, air travel, and ground transportation, food, subsistence and travel costs.
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