JOHANNESBURG, Oct. 28, (Xinhua/GNA) – Infrastructure development projects were set to play an important role in turning around South Africa’s stagnant economy, President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Tuesday at the opening of a hotel and conference center in Johannesburg east.
He said government’s plan was to focus on new infrastructure developments, a move which would be critical in job creation. « Our economy has been plunged into turmoil, people have lost their jobs and many promising investments have been put on hold or shelved, » he said. « Fast-tracking infrastructure projects-both public and private-is critical if we are to get the wheels of economic activity turning again. »
He said while the economy had suffered due to the pandemic, he was optimistic of growth. « It is vital that we do so to recover the jobs that have been lost during the pandemic and create new ones, » he said, adding that as much as the country was in need of foreign investment, local investors should take a lead.
President Ramaphosa earlier unveiled nine-meter statue of OR Tambo in Kempton Park, where he mentioned that both events would attract tourists to the country. « I have no doubt that having now opened your doors, you will soon be attracting business travellers, domestic travellers and residents of the city, » he said.
