23 December 2005
	Carl Niehaus GEDA LOSES TOP MAN By Prakash Naidoo

Veteran political activist and businessman Carl Niehaus has stepped down as CEO of the Gauteng Economic Development Agency (Geda) after just eight months. His sudden departure from the economic, investment and trade arm of the Gauteng government took staff by surprise this week. Confirming his departure, Niehaus says he has been in discussions with the province's finance & economic affairs MEC, Paul Mashatile, for some time about leaving. The former ANC MP, who served as SA ambassador to the Netherlands, has been receiving treatment for leukaemia since soon after his return to SA in 2000. He says he has grown increasingly concerned about his health recently and decided this week to step down. Niehaus was previously the executive director of the National Institute of Crime Prevention & Reintegration of Offenders and worked in the private sector before taking the helm at Geda in April. Mashatile said Niehaus's in-depth understanding of government, his experience in the business sector and his international experience in trade and investment had won him the job. Geda was established in 1996, its core business being investment promotion, investment development and facilitation, and economic development. It also offers assistance to potential local and foreign investors. Geda hosts regular outward missions and provides local industry with opportunities to bid for local and international tenders, with specific emphasis on the European, South American and North American markets. The agency has offices in the US, the UK and Brazil. Niehaus says he has also been exploring business ventures and, if he pursued them, his position at Geda would be a conflict of interest. Keith Khoza from Mashatile's office will act as CEO until an appointment is made.