South African Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said Thursday that the government expected the presidency of the Group of 20 (G20) to have significant economic benefits for the country's tourism and hospitality sectors.
JOHANNESBURG, Dec. 6 (Xinhua) -- South African Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said Thursday that the government expected the presidency of the Group of 20 (G20) to have significant economic benefits for the country's tourism and hospitality sectors.
South Africa assumed the presidency of the G20 on Dec. 1, making it the first country on the African continent to lead the premier forum.
Briefing the media on the outcomes of the Cabinet meeting held Wednesday, Ntshavheni noted that with over 130 meetings scheduled to take place during South Africa's G20 presidency, the whole country would benefit from these activities. "We anticipate an economic boost in areas such as tourism and hospitality," with the influx of the participants, their support staff, and families to the country, she said.
"Hosting the G20 offers our nation an unprecedented opportunity to position South Africa as a global force for driving inclusive economic growth, employment and reduced inequality in a sustainable manner," she added.
Ntshavheni emphasized that all nine provinces of the country would benefit from the G20 by hosting either ministerial or working group meetings.
According to the minister, South Africa would host the G20 Social to facilitate broader participation from civil society. Additionally, a new engagement group, Township20, would be introduced to highlight the "creative, cultural, financial, and innovative capacities of South Africa's township economies." Some of the G20's key meetings are set to take place this December, with the first working group meetings scheduled for Dec. 9-10 in the Gauteng Province. ■
