​Rofhiwa Marubini 
High-impact interventions to unlock business and investment opportunities will be the focus of the much-anticipated Sedibeng Investment Summit, which kicks off today.
Premier David Makhura is leading the summit at Emerald Casino in the Vaal.
The summit, which is a partnership between the Gauteng Provincial Government (GPG), the Department of Trade and Industry and Competition (DTIC) brings together key industry and sector players.
In line with the Growing Gauteng Together 2030 vision, the conference will showcase the Sedibeng District as being ready and open for investments amid the global recession made worse by weak growth locally and the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on economies.
The Sedibeng District has always been known as been South Africa's heavy industrial, manufacturing and engineering hub. 
Recently the region has been experiencing a decline and de-industrialisation of the steel manufacturing industry which caused the undesired falling output and company closures.
Among others, investment pledges which will be made today are set to catalyse the building of the Vaal River City Special Economic Zone (SEZ). 
The SEZ will boast the most skilled labour, easy access to a strong consumer base, and connectivity to both suppliers and potential markets whilst promoting export-orientated industries and local integration.
The summit comes after an intensive outreach week- long programme, by Executive Committee (EXCO) to track service delivery in the region.
The Sedibeng region is faced with challenges relating to service delivery backlogs in infrastructure, underdevelopment especially among the youth, access to housing, proper sanitation, water, electricity as well as refuse removal.