THE Gauteng provincial government's R3,7bn Blue IQ programme is ripe for vigorous private sector participation in a number of areas.

Much of the essential public sector involvement in infrastructure development has been completed, and several projects have reached the commercialisation phase where fundamental macroeconomic activities can be translated into viable and flourishing commercial operations by private sector investors.

Exciting business opportunities for private sector investors and companies looking for new operational locations will be showcased at the Blue IQ smart partnerships conference, to be held at the Sandton Convention Centre from October 20 to 21.

The conference is part of "Blue IQ means business" week, a five-day event aimed at encouraging collaboration between business and government at a general level, as well as facilitating specific deals.

Blue IQ is an economic development programme, designed to expand the provincial gross geographic product, increasing quality and sustainable employment and changing the composition of the economy to support Gauteng's trade and industrial strategy, which emphasises the services sector, high value-added manufacturing and smart industries as key growth areas.

"Projects that are looking for private sector involvement in various forms are: the Automotive Supplier Park, The Innovation Hub, Newtown and Constitution Hill, while others are rapidly approaching that stage," says Blue IQ CEO Pradeep Maharaj.

"Prospective investors, tenants and other private-sector participants are now in a position to benefit from the significant infrastructure investment by government in these projects."

The two-day Blue IQ Smart Partnerships conference will be opened by Gauteng premier Mbhazima Shilowa.

Several high profile local and international business personalities, politicians and academics will address the delegates. They include Finance Minister Trevor Manuel; Cyril Ramaphosa, chairman of Johnnic Holdings; Stewart Paperin, executive vice-president, Soros Foundation and Open Society Institute (US); Luis Sanz, director and CEO of the International Association of Science Parks (Spain); Richard Balfour-Lynn, CEO of the MWB Group (UK); Cheryl Carolus, CEO of SA Tourism; and Russell Loubser, CEO of the JSE Securities Exchange SA.

The deals on offer at "Blue IQ means business" week will include opportunities for leasehold and freehold development and accommodation on several sites, equity-based deals at the specialpurpose vehicle level, as well as other property development and property financing and restructuring deals.

"We are confident that many of the expressions of interest that Blue IQ has received from a range of possible private sector investors will be converted into tangible deals."

Maharaj says the rejuvenation of Braamfontein is already taking place on the back of the Constitution Hill and Newtown projects.

Sappi, which has its corporate headquarters in Braamfontein, is investing more than R170m in Braamfontein's development.

"This would probably not have happened had it not been for Constitution Hill and Newtown precinct developments."

"Blue IQ means business" week will focus on two other strategic programmes: Blue IQ Smart Industry Expo and Blue IQ Smart Young Minds Challenge.

The expo is a three-day industry-targeted exhibition that will showcase domestic and foreign businesses.

An awards ceremony for the Smart Young Minds Challenge, a Blue IQ initiative to encourage Gauteng pupils to produce innovative ideas to contribute to the creation of a smart province, will be held during the week.

Oct 16 2003 07:15:46:000AM  Business Day 1st Edition