9 minute read
Foreword
Eastern Cape Business
A unique guide to business and investment in the Eastern Cape.
Credits
Publishing director: Chris Whales Editor: John Young Managing director: Clive During Online editor: Christoff Scholtz Designer: Tyra Martin Production: Aneeqah Solomon Ad sales: Gavin van der Merwe Sam Oliver Tahlia Wyngaard Tennyson Naidoo Gabriel Venter Vanessa Wallace Shiko Diala Administration & accounts: Charlene Steynberg Kathy Wootton Distribution and circulation manager: Edward MacDonald Printing: FA Print T he 2022/23 edition of Eastern Cape Business is the 15th edition of this successful publication that, since its launch in 2006, has established itself as the premier business and investment guide for the Eastern Cape.
The Eastern Cape’s strengths in the citrus and automotive manufacturing are noted in a special feature on provincial exports in this edition. Citrus is cultivated in several areas of the province, but most notably in the Sundays River Valley, the country’s single biggest supplier of citrus from one distinct area.
Three towns and two Special Economic Zones host original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and automotive component companies. Volkswagen has been making cars in Kariega for 71 years, Mercedes-Benz in East London has gone past its 60th anniversary and Ford (engines) and Isuzu are staples of the Gqeberha economy.
The regional economy notes developments in the film and tourism sectors, with the exciting prospect of a new national park being proclaimed in the province. Overviews are provided on the key economic sectors of the province and the potential of the Oceans Economy and the prospects of oil and gas for this coastal province are examined. The major business chambers in the province have made contributions to the journal.
To complement the extensive local, national and international distribution of the print edition, the full content can also be viewed online at www.easterncapebusiness. co.za. Updated information on the Eastern Cape is also available through our monthly e-newsletter, which you can subscribe to online at www.gan.co.za, in addition to our complementary business-to-business titles that cover all nine provinces as well as our flagship South African Business title. In 2020 the inaugural edition of African Business was published. ■ Chris Whales Publisher, Global Africa Network | Email: chris@gan.co.za
DISTRIBUTION
Eastern Cape Business is distributed internationally on outgoing and incoming trade missions, through trade and investment agencies; to foreign offices in South Africa’s main trading partners around the world; at top national and international events; through the offices of foreign representatives in South Africa; as well as nationally and regionally via chambers of commerce, tourism offices, airport lounges, provincial government departments, municipalities and companies.
Member of the Audit Bureau of Circulations PUBLISHED BY
Global Africa Network Media (Pty) Ltd Company Registration No: 2004/004982/07 Directors: Clive During, Chris Whales Physical address: 28 Main Road, Rondebosch 7700 Postal address: PO Box 292, Newlands 7701 Tel: +27 21 657 6200 | Fax: +27 21 674 6943 Email: info@gan.co.za | Website: www.gan.co.za
ISSN 1995-1310
COPYRIGHT | Eastern Cape Business is an independent publication published by Global Africa Network Media (Pty) Ltd. Full copyright to the publication vests with Global Africa Network Media (Pty) Ltd. No part of the publication may be reproduced in any form without the written permission of Global Africa Network Media (Pty) Ltd.
PHOTO CREDITS | Acoustex Group; Angus Burns/WWF South Africa; BAIC Group; BTE Renewables; Citrus Growers’ Association of Southern Africa; Coega Development Corporation (CDC); Sandy Coffey; Enel Green Power; Ford Motor Company South Africa; Lona Group; Montego Pet Nutrition; Nelson Mandela University; SOLA; Sundays River Citrus Company; Walmer Park Shopping Centre; Wild Coast Sun.
DISCLAIMER | While the publisher, Global Africa Network Media (Pty) Ltd, has used all reasonable efforts to ensure that the information contained in Eastern Cape Business is accurate and up-to-date, the publishers make no representations as to the accuracy, quality, timeliness, or completeness of the information. Global Africa Network will not accept responsibility for any loss or damage suffered as a result of the use of or any reliance placed on such information.
Welcome to the Eastern Cape, the Home of Legends!
A newly-minted One Stop Shop for investors and three well-provisioned Special Economic Zones are among the benefits on offer for investors into the Eastern Cape, as outlined by Ayanda Wakaba, CEO of the Eastern Cape Development Corporation.
Ayanda Wakaba, CEO of the Eastern Cape Development Corporation
The Eastern Cape is a vibrant province of unmatched beauty with a wealth of natural resources and a worldclass manufacturing industry which includes South Africa’s leading automotive manufacturing industry.
Often referred to as a “world in one province”, the Eastern Cape boasts the most successful Industrial Development Zones in South Africa, the East London Industrial Development Zone, and Coega Industrial Development Zone, with the newly-established Wild Coast Special Economic Zone all ideally situated for easy access to world markets. Responsible for the facilitation of investment and trade in the province, the Eastern Cape
Development Corporation (ECDC) has been repositioned as a central economic development agency for the province. The ECDC’s strategic thrust fosters advocacy work which promotes provincial economic transformation, inclusive growth and competitiveness, investor-focussed solutions, pioneering innovation in key growth sectors, operational efficiency and financial sustainability.
At the ECDC, we place emphasis on the implementation of trade and investment programmes which intend to leverage on the inherent economic potential of the province. These activities encourage trade and investment in the priority sectors of the Eastern Cape economy which have a high potential for job creation, beneficiation and opportunities for the development of a competitive local SMME sector.
For the ease and convenience of doing business in the Eastern Cape, the InvestSA One Stop Shop Eastern Cape, which is a South African presidential investment facilitation initiative implemented in partnership with the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition, serves as a vehicle to reduce the administrative burden often experienced by investors. The InvestSA One Stop Shop Eastern Cape facility thus acts as a single point of contact for investor interface, queries and aftercare. Matters relating to regulatory compliance, licensing and permits, interface with local authorities and communities are among the services the InvestSA One Stop Shop Eastern Cape prides itself on.
The ECDC welcomes you to the unmatched potential of the Eastern Cape Province.
Realise the Eastern Cape, it’s Yours to Explore. ■
Eastern Cape Development Corporation
Key priority sectors.
The Oceans Economy holds great promise for the Eastern Cape. ECDC Board Chairperson Vuyani Jarana and the Chief Executive Officer Ayanda Wakaba visited four businesses taking advantage of the province’s vast coastline in August 2021.
The Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC) focuses on seven growth sectors which are all aligned to the Provincial Economic Development Strategy and Provincial Development Plan.
These sectors are: • Agriculture and agro-processing • Sustainable energy, generation and component manufacture • Oceans Economy • Automotive • Light manufacturing • Tourism, infrastructure and product • Film
The Eastern Cape has experienced sizeable local and international investment in key sectors such as automotive, renewable energy and forestry.
The film and tourism sectors received a boost with the filming of Survivor South Africa: Immunity Island on the Wild Coast, which not only boosted the regional economy by R10-million and created more than 100 jobs but will sell the province to a large television audience.
All of the province’s original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) have made commitments to expand or upgrade their production lines in recent months: Mercedes-Benz South Africa (East London); Volkswagen SA (Kariega); BAIC (Coega SEZ); Ford Motor Company and Isuzu (Gqeberha).
As recently as March 2022, the Africa Auto Group committed to an investment of R550-million to enter the injection moulding industry in Nelson Mandela Bay.
With more than half of the wind power projects in the national government’s renewable energy plan allocated to the Eastern Province, the region can truly be called the Wind Power Province. A green hydrogen project has been announced which holds enormous potential for opening up a completely new sector.
Manufacturing for the renewable energy sector is another potential area of growth, and the province’s Special Economic Zones are uniquely positioned to host such activity.
One of the competitive advantages of investing in the Eastern Cape lies in the two Special Economic Zones in East London and at Coega, which hosts a deepwater port. Both SEZs are strategically situated on major transport and shipping routes and provide purpose-built infrastructure for investors wishing to produce and manufacture for the Southern African Development Community and world markets. An integrated database system has been developed and maintained by the SEZs. Through this portal, potential investors have ready access to skilled, semi-skilled and unskilled labour resources. ■
The shooting of the latest version of the Survivor TV series will further boost the popularity of the spectacular Wild Coast. Credit: ECDC
EASTERN CAPE
The Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC) is the host of the Eastern Cape Investor One Stop Shop.
The Investor One Stop Shop initiative is geared towards providing investors with services to fast-track projects and reduce government red tape when establishing a business. It is part of the government’s drive to become investor friendly by improving the business environment by lowering the cost of doing business as well as making the process easier.
One Stop Shops house government entities such as the South African Revenue Service (to help with customs and tax), Home Affairs, Environmental Affairs, Eskom and the Companies and Intellectual Properties Commission under one roof.
An investor can make an appointment, meet a government representative and be guided by the representative through the process of setting up a business. The One Stop Shops simplify administrative procedures for issuing business approvals, permits and licences and thereby remove bottlenecks that investors may face in establishing and running businesses.
The offering includes, but is not limited to:
• Providing an accessible entry point for investors in need of regulatory compliance. • Enhancing regulatory and legal processes. • Improving approval turnaround timeframes. • Providing information on incentives (tax, land, training, free trade zones, etc). • Providing pre-approval information (market data, costs, incentives, project approval, local partners, etc). • Providing post-approval information (facilitation of permit approvals, information relating to import of equipment and raw materials, central bank profit repatriation, etc) to investors.
Participating national government entities
• InvestSA is a division of the South African
Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic) • Business registry: Companies and Intellectual
Property Commission (CIPC) • Tax authority: South African Revenue Service (SARS) • International Trade Administration Commission (ITAC) • National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications (NRCS) • Public electricity utility: Eskom • Municipal Infrastructure Support Agent (MISA)
Visa facilitation
Visa and permit applications can be made at Visa and Permit Facilitation Centres. Applications are then assessed by the Department of Home Affairs in Pretoria. Non-South Africans with a legal residency permit in South Africa can apply for a visa or permit at these centres.
There are centres in every province. In the Eastern Cape there is an office in East London. The South African government is reviewing its critical skills list as well as taking steps to make it easier for people who qualify to apply.
The Eastern Cape invitation
The Eastern Cape InvestSA One Stop Shop and ECDC team can advise you on investment opportunities and assist investment and trade opportunities from the same offices. The Eastern Cape team is committed and qualified to assist and guide you from concept to investment phase.
We look forward to hearing from you and partnering with you to make your investment a success! ■
Contact details
Address: 12 Esplanade, Quigney, East London Tel: +27 87 131 1450 Email: info@investeasterncape.co.za Website: www.ecdc.co.za
