The World Economic Forum has come at a good time for South Africa, which is finding itself under increased scrutiny as a result of slow growth, perceived vulnerability to US quantitative easing and possible labour unrest, which is making some investors nervous.
While the annual forum held in Davos, Switzerland, does not adopt resolutions, it provides a platform where global issues can be addressed and concerns can be raised.
The delegation will be lead this year by Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan, and will include from the business side the likes of billionaire businessperson Patrice Motsepe, Naspers chief executive Koos Bekker and Absa chief executive Maria Ramos.
Join us live at 1.30pm on Thursday January 23, where the Mail & Guardian's Verashni Pillay will put your questions to members of the delegation and discuss issues facing the country in the global economic context. Joining us will be Trade and Industry Minister Rob Davies, Colin Coleman of Goldman Sacs and Communications Minister Yunis Carrim.
Post your questions in the comment section below, or on Twitter using the tag #MGhangout. You can also tell us what you think on Facebook, as well as Google Plus. Alternatively, you can email us.
With rumblings of possible downgrades by some rating agencies, South African business and government will have an opportunity to mix and mingle with some of the world's key decision makers and reassure investors about the country's strength as an investment destination. Key in its arsenal will be the National Development Plan, the country's 30-year growth and development strategy.
One of South Africa's challenges is going to be to distance itself from the other counties known as the fragile five, which includes Turkey, Brazil, India and Indonesia. Recently, US bank Merrill Lynch gave South Africa a favourable report as a investment destination, saying that unlike the other developing countries listed above, South Africa has, among other things, a liquid market with lots of local ownership, so foreign investors know that they always have someone to sell to.
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