Middelburg Chamber of
Middelburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry Location, location, location is the secret advantage of Middelburg, writes MCCI CEO, Anna-Marth Ott. The current investment landscape is dominated with buzzwords like energy security, green energy, carbon neutral, just transition and equitable opportunities. In this complex landscape investors end up asking how they can make lowrisk investments that offer lucrative returns. The answer lies in investment areas that offer access to inclusive environments in close proximity to customers and suppliers. Middelburg, located within the Steve Tshwete Local Municipality, is such a location. The saying that “location is everything” applies to the Middelburg investment environment. The town offers businesses access to major national transport routes, industrial areas in Mpumalanga and Gauteng, neighbouring countries and ports. This is especially attractive for businesses that need to distribute their product reliably. Middelburg is situated at the intersection of the N4, N12, N11, R104 and R555 highways, thus avoiding any congestion of the N3. The harbours of Durban and Maputo are accessible from the region without using the infrastructure of Gauteng. Access and competitive advantage Middelburg also offers direct access for importing and exporting to neighbouring SADC countries. With an increasing need for imports, access to these markets is advantageous for any manufacturing, distribution or logistics company. The Middelburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) and the Steve Tshwete Local Municipality (STLM) have Columbus Stainless, part of the Acerinox Group of companies, is the only stainless steel mill in Africa. successfully attracted several such major investors to the region. Historically, investors could either build their projects on greenfield sites or move into existing facilities to trade as soon as possible. A major competitive advantage is that the region is not reliant on one sector for its economic growth but has several prominent economic sectors. The mining sector boasts 150 coal mines in the region, the energy segment has seven power stations and the manufacturing sector holds the status of being the second-largest contributor to the Mpumalanga economy. The agricultural sector also ranks among the strongest in the region, with skilled artisans and engineers in abundance across all sectors. MCCI invites all companies interested in investing to get in touch with us. With our business networks and relationships, we endeavour to make your investment work for you. ■ CONTACT DEATILS Address: 292 Walter Sisulu Street, Middelburg, Mpumalanga 1050 Tel: 013 243 2253 Email: info@middelburginfo.com Website: www.middelburginfo.com 50
Kruger Lowveld Chamber of Business and Tourism The voice of business in Ehlanzeni. As the official representative body of business and tourism in the Kruger Lowveld (Ehlanzeni District), our main mandates are to promote the region as a tourism and investment destination, to provide a diverse suite of networking and marketing opportunities for our members, and to represent and speak on behalf of the business and tourism community of our area. We do this by building and maintaining meaningful relationships with all spheres of government as well as like-minded organisations, and by acting as liaison between these entities and the business community. KLCBT’s president is Professor David Mabunda (pictured). Area of operation The Kruger Lowveld covers the Ehlanzeni District of Mpumalanga, including the following local municipalities: City of Mbombela, Thaba Chweu, Nkomazi and Bushbuckridge, as well as the southern part of Kruger National Park and the surrounding private nature reserves. Member benefits Listing on website, Pay-to-Play participation in various marketing services and projects, weekly newsletter, invitations to all KLCBT events, advocacy and representations made by KLCBT on behalf of members, access to preferential arrangements negotiated by KLCBT with service providers, brochure display at Crossing Centre office, various sponsorship options, access to tender information. We are actively involved in the following advocacy campaigns: Service delivery: Public participation in various forums where government engages with stakeholders regarding budgets, planning and legislation. Promote home-grown businesses through education processes, research, maintaining a database, lobbying for stricter regulations Contact details Physical address: KLCBT House, Crossing Centre, Nelspruit Postal address: Private Bag X 11326, Nelspruit 1200 Tel: +27 13 755 1988 Fax: +27 13 753 2986 Email: business@klcbt.co.za and tourism@klcbt.co.za Website: www.klcbt.co.za Professor David Mabunda on large shopping chains, engaging large chains to buy local and to spend their CSI budgets locally. Local Economic Development: We are assisting with incubation in seven main corridors, mainly adding additional tourism products. Anti-corruption: Several successful initiatives reduced roadside corruption. Water: Bulk-water supply faces a future crisis and lobbying for the increase of storage capacity is beginning to show success. Roads and public attractions: Require upgrades and investment. Safety and security: A concern for all regions in SA. ■ 51 MPUMALANGA BUSINESS 2024/25
