Johannesburg: Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson is currently undertaking an official working visit to the Middle East from today until 28 February. This visit aims to attract infrastructure investment into South Africa, focusing on transforming the country into a vibrant construction site to enhance economic growth and generate employment opportunities.

According to South African Government News Agency, Minister Macpherson’s itinerary includes Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and Qatar. He is accompanied by the MEC for Public Works and Infrastructure in Limpopo, Ernest Rachoene, and Thembubuhle Ntuli, Chairperson of the eThekwini Municipality Economic Development and Planning Committee. Together, they plan to engage with their state counterparts, sovereign wealth funds, state-owned entities, and private sector businesses in each country.

The visit underscores the untapped potential the Middle East holds for South African infrastructure projects, given the relatively limited investment from the region in the past. Macpherson’s mission is to secure commitments that will help drive South Africa’s economic development through robust infrastructure investment.