Eastern Cape Premier Lubabalo Oscar Mabuyane has today (Sunday 24th May) departed for an official working visit to Italy and Greece, where he will lead a high-level government and business delegation aimed at advancing international trade, investment and oceans economy partnerships.
According to Premier’s spokesperson Sonwabo Mbananga, the visit, which runs from 24 May to 5 June 2026, forms part of the Eastern Cape Provincial Government’s broader economic diplomacy programme focused on positioning the province as a competitive global investment, tourism and maritime destination.
The delegation is expected to participate in a series of government engagements, business roundtables, maritime industry meetings and investment networking platforms in Rome, Sicily, Naples, Malta and Athens. One of the key highlights of the programme will be participation in Posidonia 2026, one of the world’s leading international maritime and shipping exhibitions.
Mbananga said the visit is aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation and unlocking opportunities in sectors including oceans economy, port infrastructure and logistics, shipbuilding and repair, aquaculture and fisheries, tourism and hospitality, renewable energy, skills development, maritime education, and trade and investment partnerships.
“The Eastern Cape is strategically positioned to become a leading maritime and investment hub on the African continent. Through these engagements, we aim to forge meaningful partnerships that will contribute towards economic growth, job creation, skills transfer and investment attraction for our province,” Mabuyane said through the statement.
During the Italy leg of the visit, the delegation will engage with regional governments, port authorities, maritime training institutions and industry leaders in Lazio, Civitavecchia, Palermo, Reggio Emilia and Naples. Discussions are expected to focus on possible cooperation agreements in maritime training, port development, tourism, aquaculture, manufacturing and innovation.
In Greece, the delegation will participate in the Posidonia International Shipping Exhibition, where engagements with global maritime stakeholders, shipping associations, investors and maritime training institutions are expected to take place. The Eastern Cape delegation will also showcase the province’s investment potential and opportunities within the ocean economy sector.
The delegation includes representatives from the Office of the Premier, the Department of Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism, the Eastern Cape Development Corporation, Coega SEZ, East London IDZ, the Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency, ECSECC, Nelson Mandela University-linked maritime institutions, as well as members of the provincial business sector.
The provincial government believes the mission will help expand the Eastern Cape’s global economic footprint while building strategic international partnerships that support inclusive economic development.
Finance MEC Mlungisi Mvoko will serve as Acting Premier during Mabuyane’s absence to ensure continuity in governance.
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