The Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber is moving forward with its plans to launch a Trade and Investment Desk, with the appointment of Anelisiwe Fihlani as the Desk’s Trade and Investment Coordinator, effective immediately.
This strategic appointment is part of the Chamber's efforts to capacitate and enhance its Trade and Investment Desk which will be launched this week and is aiming to unlock the potential of Nelson Mandela Bay as the Bay of Opportunity.
Fihlani brings valuable experience from her previous role as an Investment Officer at the Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC). During her tenure at ECDC, she was involved in investment attraction and facilitation, conducted sector economic research, and facilitated policy dialogues. She also engaged with multiple stakeholders around strategy development and investment promotion projects.
In her new role at the Chamber, Fihlani will be a key resource for the Trade and Investment Desk. Her responsibilities will include investment destination marketing, facilitating investor partnership linkages, and providing essential information and support to both potential and existing investors. Her experience is expected to contribute to promoting the Bay of Opportunity, fostering economic growth and attracting new investments to the Metro.
Commenting on her appointment, Chamber chief executive Denise van Huyssteen expressed enthusiasm about Fihlani joining the Chamber as she joins the organisation during a crucial period where it is proactively positioning the metro as the Bay of Opportunity.
“We have kick-started our proactive efforts to promote the metro as an untapped and high potential investment destination that boasts two ports and a strong manufacturing base and highly skilled people. As such, the new Coordinator will play a pivotal role in collaborating with the province, the municipality and other entities that support investors to ensure that an action approach is adopted to investor marketing, especially with a business-to-business focus,” says Van Huyssteen.
Fihlani will report directly to the Chamber’s Business Information Manager Lunga Mjodo, who is responsible for the Chamber’s trade and investment initiatives as well as Entrepreneurship services.