Lord Mayor of York Councillor Irene Waudby will be jetting to South Africa next week (Tuesday, January 29, 2002) as part of a trade, tourism and cultural mission designed to improve links between the UK and the republic.

Lord Mayor Councillor Waudby and Lord Mayor's Consort Derek Waudby will be joining seven other Lord Mayors from across the country on next week's trip which is being funded by South African Tourism and South African Airways.

During the trip, which lasts until Tuesday, February 5, the Lord Mayors will meet their counterparts from Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban and Stellenbosch and explore the possibilities of greater city-to-city ties between the two countries.

The Lord Mayors will also: get a lowdown on the importance of tourism to South Africa with one job created for every eight visitors gain a better insight into the economic opportunities for the UK of closer links receive an introduction to the forthcoming 2002 World Summit for Sustainable Development which is taking place in Johannesburg in August

Lord Mayor Councillor Waudby said she was delighted to accept the invitation to join the other Lord Mayors in South Africa.

She said, "South Africa is seeking diversity in its economy - just like York. Tourism and history are playing a major role in both places.

"I am looking forward to meeting my counterparts in Cape Town, Johannesburg, Durban and Stellenbosch and hearing of the challenges they are tackling in their cities. I am sure I will be fascinated by learning something of their culture" Dave Taylor, marketing director of York Inward Investment Board, said, "We are most pleased that the Lord Mayor will be presenting York as Europe's most attractive business location to South African business leaders.

"We stand ready to talk to any other potential inward investors from South Africa. Already, one company from Johannesburg, EngNet, has based itself in York to create an internet portal, or directory, for engineering companies.

"Maybe they will be joined by others if the right contacts are made during the Lord Mayor's visit."

The other Lord Mayors on the trip are from Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Liverpool, Portsmouth, Swansea and Westminster.

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