Hans Spitzner, Bavaria's deputy minister for economic affairs, infrastructure, transport and technology, told a meeting on Friday that SA could benefit from experience Germany was gaining in staging the 2006 Football World Cup.

Specific areas of opportunity that could be triggered by the event included the development of shopping malls, entertainment venues and residential developments, he said. The 2010 Football World Cup is expected to generate billions of rands.

The visit by the Bavarian delegation came amid heightened interest by foreign countries looking to benefit from SA hosting the soccer spectacular.

Last week an Australian delegation was keen to share the experience gained in hosting the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games and late last year the Swiss embassy held a business breakfast in Johannesburg on the event.

from Business Day