Anelisiwe Fihlani has been appointed as the Trade and Investment Coordinator for this new desk. Fihlani previously served as an Investment Officer at the Eastern Cape Development Corporation, where she gained extensive experience in investment attraction and facilitation, sector economic research, and policy dialogue facilitation. Her role at the Chamber will involve investment destination marketing, creating investor partnerships, and providing vital information and support to potential and existing investors.
Denise van Huyssteen, the Chamber’s chief executive, emphasized the strategic importance of this new desk. "We are proactively promoting the metro as an untapped, high-potential investment destination," said Van Huyssteen. The region's strategic advantages include two major ports, a robust manufacturing base, and a highly skilled workforce.
Fihlani’s appointment and the establishment of the Trade and Investment Desk are expected to foster economic development and attract new investments. The Chamber's Business Information Manager, Lunga Mjodo, who oversees trade and investment initiatives, will directly manage Fihlani. The initiative also aligns with the Chamber's ongoing efforts to create a business-friendly environment in Nelson Mandela Bay.
This new development is part of the Chamber’s broader efforts, including the Business Intelligence Hub, which supports both new and existing businesses through various programs such as the Enterprise Development Programme, Exporters Development Programme, and Entrepreneurship Desk. The Chamber aims to provide value-adding services to local businesses, including networking opportunities, development programs, and informative publications.
The launch of the Trade and Investment Desk marks a significant step towards leveraging Nelson Mandela Bay's potential as a leading investment destination in Africa.