Renault expands SA links.

Renault's Formula One team has entered into a new partnership with the Gauteng provincial government aimed at promoting the South African region as the home of
competitive sport in the country.

The agreement comes on the back of the success and exposure generated by the team's Roadshow visit to Johannesburg's Sandton suburb last July, which attracted some 80,000 spectators. Johannesburg is one of the major cities in Gauteng, along with Tshwane and Ekurhuleni, and helps to make the province the economic powerhouse of South Africa and, as a result of the links already forged, the provincial government hopes to use the new partnership as a platform for increasing its international profile, and generating further inward investment. Renault already has a strong presence in the region, and has recently announced that the new Sandero model will be produced in South Africa from 2009.

"The partnership between the Gauteng provincial government and ING Renault F1 Team aims to increase further the marketability of Gauteng as an investment and tourism destination, as well as consolidating the region as Africa's home of sport," the department of finance and economic affairs' Paul Mashatile explained, "This partnership will enable us to showcase our competitive advantages to a wider audience, and to add further impetus to some of our strategic automotive and related
manufacturing sectors."

The partnership, set initially for one year, will aim to help promote the Gauteng province internationally, culminating in a new F1 Roadshow event through the streets of Johannesburg, provisionally scheduled for 27 July. The relationship between the two parties will also a feature a competition to be run throughout the Gauteng Province, offering the winner a chance to drive Renault's F1 car.

"We are delighted to welcome the Gauteng Provincial Government as a partner of the team, and are very excited about the communications activities that we will put in place," team boss Flavio Briatore commented, "South Africa is a fast growing country and this partnership will form a key element in its image-building campaign and development."