Manx businesses are trying to drum up trade in South Africa at an event that starts today (Tuesday).

The Isle of Man Indaba’s fourth bi-annual roadshow, takes place until November 8.

Organised by a group of Isle of Man companies, this event will focus on ‘growing tech and intellectual property companies in order to accumulate wealth in the Isle of Man’.

Building on the success of previous roadshows, which primarily focused on finance and investment, this week’s conferences and workshops in Johannesburg, Durban, Cape Town, and George will look into topics, including economic substance, funding South African tech companies, the advantages of choosing the Isle of Man for tech companies, intellectual management (brands, trademarks) from the Isle of Man, general wealth management, types of corporate vehicles, family governance, succession planning, available advisors, and employment issues.

The speakers include Sara-Jane Pluke of Eversheds in Durban, Stephan Spamer of CDH in Johannesburg, and André Maré of Von Seidels in Cape Town.

Manx companies participating in the panel will provide insights into the investment market and recent developments in the country.

The panel includes representatives from the Isle of Man government through its agency, Finance Isle of Man; Antony Kelsey from Capital International Group; Alex Toohey from Canaccord Genuity; Basil Bielich and Lyle Krause from Atla Group; Simon Fearnhead from Stonewell; Christopher Kinley from Kinley Legal; Stephen Wilson from Boston Multi Family Office; and Roelf Odendaal.

Today’s event is at Mount Edgecombe Country Club, Umhlanga.

Then, on November 2, the event moves to Seven Villa Hotel & Spa, Sandton; on November 6 to Fancourt, George and on November 8 The Forum Embassy Hill, Cape Town.

Organisers say that media reports by Bloomberg and the BBC highlight a growing interest in the Isle of Man as ‘an ambitious and vibrant economy with a goal of doubling its economy to £10 billion by 2032’.

The Isle of Man has set its sights on increasing its population to 100,000 by 2027 while creating 5,000 jobs in the process.

Addressing the theme of tech and intellectual property, Digital Isle of Man, the government’s executive agency, reports that the digital industry has witnessed substantial growth in the Isle of Man, now contributing to 30% of the island’s economy.

This sector spans various domains, including eGaming, esports, Fintech, blockchain, internet of things, technology, payments, media, and film.

People at the meeting will be told that the Isle of Man is recognised as a leading international business centre, celebrated for its innovation, professionalism, and commitment to international initiatives and standards.

Delegates will underline the fact that the Isle of Man is a self-governing crown dependency with its own parliament, laws, and economy, independent of the United Kingdom and European Union.

They will also boast that the island’s economy is growing and has a Moody’s government rating of Aa3.

This rating indicates the island’s high level of wealth and economic resilience.

Moody’s, which grades counties according to their economic strength and stability, said: ‘The Isle of Man’s economy is more diversified than are most entities of its size, having moved away from a reliance on offshore banking towards information and communication technology (ICT), insurance and e-gaming.’

Roelf Odendaal, representing one of the participating Isle of Man companies highlighted the expansion of the event to include the Eastern Cape with a stop in George, inviting interested parties across the Garden Route and surrounding regions to attend.

He said: ‘This indaba will be of particular interest to tech companies wishing to take their products international, tech entrepreneurs wishing to understand how to establish a tech company globally, individuals and companies who wish to register trademarks and intellectual property internationally, and individuals who want to secure their wealth outside of South Africa.’

Organisers say that the Isle of Man indaba is a ‘testament to the commitment of Isle of Man companies to promoting economic growth, collaboration, and investment opportunities between South Africa and the Isle of Man’.

l An ‘indaba’ is an important conference held by the izinDuna (principal men) of the Zulu and Xhosa peoples of South Africa.