14 June 2007, Thaba Ya Batswane
Honourable Premier of Gauteng, Mbhazima Shilowa;
MECS;
Representatives of local government;
Senior managers from GPG;
Ladies and Gentlemen:
It gives us great pleasure to welcome all of you to the launch of the Gauteng Spatial Development Perspective (GSDP).
The launch of the GSDP marks yet another important step in our ongoing effort to strengthen Gauteng's position as the economic engine of South Africa and a significant player in the regional economy.
This Perspective is also a major step towards the realization of our vision to become a Globally Competitive City Region. Through this Perspective we will, as various spheres of government and stakeholders in the provincial economy, develop a common understanding of the nature and functioning of the provincial space economy.
This understanding will form the basis of our collective approach to respond comprehensively to the developmental challenges facing our province.
Also of significance is that the GSDP will allow us to pursue a provincial developmental trajectory that is underpinned by accelerated and more balanced economic growth that creates jobs and contributes directly to the goal of building a better life for all.
It will ensure that we register new and decisive victories as we advance to our objectives of growing the provincial economy at a rate of 8% by 2014.
Programme Director, today's launch is a culmination of many hours of hard work by our economic and development planning unit. That we have gathered here today on this auspicious occasion is a fitting tribute to the commitment and dedication of this team.
We wish to take this opportunity to express our sincere gratitude to all those who have made it possible for us to develop and launch this Perspective. Our immediate task is to implement the principles outlined in the Perspective.
As we engage in this important task we will once more rely on the commitment and dedication of all stakeholders, including municipalities and the private sector. Let us emerge out of this launch with renewed commitment to work together towards addressing the developmental challenges facing our province. This we must do so that our collective interventions can deliver maximum impact in the shortest possible time.
Once more, welcome to the launch of the Gauteng Spatial Development Perspective.
I thank you.