CAPE TOWN Western Cape government is to host a high-profile trade, tourism and investment conference in London on July 10 to showcase its developments and achievements to attract new UK investment.

The conference, promoted through the UK Institute of Directors, will concentrate on highgrowth sectors such as tourism, property development, film production, information technology, communications and the fledgling oil and gas exploration industry.

Although it might take time for new investment to arrive, bigger and more immediate benefits were expected from trade and tourism, said Denis Worrall, chairman of Omega Investment Research, organisers of the conference.

Worrall said he hoped Western Cape premier Marthinus van Schalkwyk and finance MEC Ebrahim Rasool, who would address the conference, would project an image of political stability and progress in the region.

Investment "success stories" would provide a good overview of Western Cape's economy, he said .

The province is the lead sponsor and has elicited other sponsorships from Absa Bank, SA Airways, Forest Oil International, KWV International, Orient-Express Hotels and the Mount Nelson Hotel, and Pam Golding Properties.

The conference is supported by the SA high commission in the UK, the British consulate general in Cape Town, the Cape Town Regional Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Confederation of British Industry , the Southern Africa Business Association , the SA Business Club and Trade Partners UK.

Jul 03 2003 07:59:49:000AM Chris van Gass Business Day 1st Edition