STELLALANDER-VRYBURG: Despite his tight medical programme, Premier of North West, Kaobitsa Bushy Maape paid a courtesy visit to the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of South Africa in Thailand, H.E Darkey Ephraim Africa in Thailand on Thursday, 25 January.
The visit was used as an opportunity for the South African Embassy in Bangkok, Thailand to explore opportunities for the North West province. Premier Maape and Ambassador Africa discussed a wide range of issues, more specifically the economic challenges of the North West Province and its impact on the youth. They agreed on the need to identify trade and investment opportunities in Thailand for the North West Province. They further agreed on the need to invite investors from Thailand in the areas of agriculture, infrastructure automotive, renewable energy and tourism. On his part, Ambassador Africa acknowledged Premier Maape’s desire to mobilise trade and investment for his Province. He requested the South African Embassy to invite various agencies such as North West Development Corporation, the North West Housing Corporation and other business people to Thailand to further explore opportunities in trade and investment following his engagement with Ambassador Africa. The Ambassador and the Political Counsellor, Thobeka Dlamini assured the Premier that the Embassy would invite the Province at the appropriate time for engagement. Premier Maape accompanied by the Ambassador, also met Ravi Puri, a prominent businessman in real estate and hospitality to explore other opportunities in real estate. The Premier departed from Bangkok after completion of his medical engagement which Maape said went very well and were concluded.
