(a) - (b) The envoys were appointed to create an additional channel through which business can alert government of possible investment opportunities as well as impediments they experience in pursuing those opportunities. The envoys combined have had more than 150 engagements. These include meetings with individual companies, business chambers, business groupings and embassies.
(c) (i) The meetings referred to above have been held since the envoys were appointed, up to date.
(ii) Meetings were held in various locations including Johannesburg, Cape Town, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Singapore, China, Canada, Ireland, London and Poland.
(d) (i) (ii) Envoys are volunteers who are deployed to convey messages about the investment climate and to generate goodwill with investors. They are not tasked with deal-making, but with opening doors. It is up to the government to pursue the investment opportunities where appropriate, or to resolve the issues that may be blocking private sector investment.
(e) (i) (ii) To date, the total cost is at R369,644.14, which includes:
- Ticket fares: R225,397.90
- Hotel Accommodation: R57,798.69
- Delegation fee: R86,447.55