Newly appointed ECDC CEO Sitembele Mase and Dti Director of Investment Projects Francois Truter are among the presenting guests of the Exporters Club of South Africa, which will meet next at the Eastern Cape Hub.

By putting the Eastern Cape Hub facility, which includes a business lounge, at the disposal of business groupings, provincial government is innovatively using the opportunity of the 2010 FIFA World Cup^TM to engage stakeholders with Brand Eastern Cape.

Eastern Cape Hub co-ordinator Nomfundo wakwa Luphondwana said the use of the facility behind the Paxton Hotel in Humewood, by business groupings was "vital" to engage roleplayers with the marketing thrust of the Eastern Cape."

Besides the new ECDC head and DTI, the meeting on the morning of Wednesday July 7, will also be addressed by Duanne Shipp of KPMG around the issue of new VAT return forms.

Mase will address SMME export behaviour and performance, obstacles to SMME export and the role of product innovation in exports while Truter will talk about the dti's Automotive investment Scheme, Tax Allowances and other DTI investment projects.

The Eastern Cape Hub has hosted daily food tasting sessions, diski dancing demonstrations, big screen match viewing and several local and visiting delegations.

While the 2010 FIFA World Cup^TM is moving to a climax, the EC Hub will play host to numerous meetings and delegations until the end of July.

Among these are the Exporters Club, Chamber of Commerce and a ministerial entourage and delegation from lower Saxony, Germany that will be met by Eastern Cape Premier, Noxolo Kieviet and Sports, Arts, Recreation and Clture MEC Mrs Xoliswa Tom

Since the EC hub opened on June 11, it has hosted numerous officials, fans and locals, including the Motherwell craft group, Women Against Women Abuse (WAWA), Caregivers of those infected and affected by HIV and AIDS, and the Forum for Disabled Persons. 

A highlight of Hub activities in the past week was the visit of youth fans from the USA, Germany, Nigeria, Switzerland and Cameroon, who interacted with local youth from Motherwell on issues such as nation building and social cohesion.

The Eastern Cape Hub, located in the building vacated by Oakley above the South End fire station in Humerail Business Park, Oakworth Drive, Humewood, also has a fully resourced media and business centre for local and visiting media and business delegations.

The facilities are available at no fee to all visitors.

The facility is open from 10am to 6pm every day over the period of the FIFA World Cup^TM.

For any further information, please contact Office of the Premier, General Manager: Provincial Communications: Nomfundo wakwa Luphondwana. Telephone:   041 585 0425, email: Nomfundo.luphondwana@otp.ecprov.gov.za or nwakwal@gmail.com