The Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber today hosted Ukrainian Ambassador to South Africa, Olexander Scherba, marking the latest in a series of high-level diplomatic engagements aimed at strengthening international partnerships and unlocking new opportunities for Nelson Mandela Bay.
The visit follows recent engagements with British High Commissioner to South Africa Antony Phillipson, Namibian High Commissioner to South Africa Ambassador Nangula Frieda Ithete, as well as discussions with United States Ambassador L. Brent Bozell III and US Consul General Allison Areias.
Collectively, these engagements underscore Nelson Mandela Bay’s significance as a strategic trade, investment and industrial hub, while reinforcing the Chamber’s commitment to positioning the metro as the Bay of Opportunity.
The visit by Ambassador Scherba comes at a time when global political and economic dynamics continue to evolve rapidly, reshaping trade relationships, investment flows and international partnerships. Against this backdrop, the Chamber is actively leveraging diplomatic and business relationships to identify opportunities that can support economic growth, strengthen competitiveness and connect local businesses to global markets.
Discussions during the various engagements have focused on strengthening bilateral relationships, promoting trade and investment opportunities, supporting business-to-business collaboration, expanding market access, facilitating knowledge exchange, and exploring partnerships in areas such as skills development, innovation and industrial growth.
During discussions with the United States delegation, discussions took place around the Bay’s manufacturing sector, which represents 22% of the local economy, as well as the export orientated citrus industry which has its biggest single citrus production in the country located in the surrounding Sundays River Valley area.
The engagements with the British and Namibian High Commissioners focused on advancing partnerships that support business growth, investment attraction and economic cooperation, while showcasing Nelson Mandela Bay’s strategic value proposition as a gateway to regional and international markets.
Chief Executive Officer of the Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber, Denise van Huyssteen, said the Chamber’s international engagement programme forms a critical component of its long-term economic development strategy.
“In an increasingly interconnected and rapidly changing global environment, cities and regions that actively cultivate international relationships will be best positioned to attract investment, unlock trade opportunities and create sustainable economic growth. These diplomatic engagements are not ceremonial; they are strategic conversations that help position Nelson Mandela Bay on the global stage and open doors for local businesses.
“The Bay of Opportunity is more than a positioning statement. It reflects our commitment to ensuring that Nelson Mandela Bay is recognised internationally as a destination where investors can grow, businesses can thrive and partnerships can flourish. Every engagement with international representatives provides an opportunity to showcase the strengths of our city-region, from our world-class automotive and manufacturing capabilities to our logistics infrastructure, renewable energy potential and entrepreneurial ecosystem.
“At a time when geopolitical shifts, changing trade patterns and economic realignments are creating both uncertainty and opportunity across the world, it is essential that Nelson Mandela Bay remains proactive, outward-looking and globally connected. Our role is to ensure that local businesses are not only aware of emerging opportunities but are also positioned to participate in them.
“The Chamber will continue to build meaningful relationships with international partners, diplomatic missions and business organisations that can contribute to economic growth, investment attraction, skills development and market expansion. Through these efforts, we are strengthening the Bay’s competitiveness and advancing our vision of a globally connected Bay of Opportunity.”
#ResurgeTheBay #BayOfOpportunity
Issued by:
Sibongile Dimbaza
Communications Officer