Costa: There's interest in S.Africa from global investor community

South Africa's participation in the 55th World Economic Forum has been a critical moment for the country as it gears up to lead the G20 and B20 later this year. The B20 Secretariat, Anthony Costa, shed light on the significance of these upcoming summits in an exclusive interview with CNBC Africa. The B20 South Africa is the business version of the G20, aiming to gather companies worldwide and ensure their active participation. Costa emphasized that this is a crucial opportunity for South Africa as the president of the G20, with all eyes on the nation to influence global policies from a business perspective. The country's objectives for the G20 focus on economic growth, equality, and solidarity, making it an 'African G20' with a unique perspective of global cooperation. The B20 program this year will primarily be virtual, reflecting the current global situation, with a series of webinars, Zoom meetings, and online discussions leading up to the summit. The launch event is scheduled for October in Cape Town, with the summit preceding the G20 in November, potentially in Johannesburg. Costa revealed that there has been a remarkable interest from the global and continental investor community, following the success of the previous B20 summit in Brazil. The diverse participation from countries worldwide, including multinational corporations and South African companies, indicates a promising year ahead for South Africa's global engagement. One of the key areas of collaboration that Costa emphasized is the partnership between South African business and government, particularly in addressing energy, transport, and logistics challenges. This collaborative effort is expected to continue in the G20 arena and enhance South Africa's visibility on the global stage. Costa's message to the investor community is clear - South Africa is a country with immense potential, open for business, and ready to take on a leading role as a global citizen. The preparations for the G20 and B20 summits signify an exciting chapter for South Africa's engagement in global affairs, setting the stage for meaningful discussions and collaborations that will shape the future of the business landscape.