Eastern Cape Business 2023-24
The 2023/24 edition of Eastern Cape Business is the 16th 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 Development Corporation (ECDC) is supporting this issue of the journal, both in providing up-to-date information for editorial use and in sharing information about its activities. It will also distribute the journal through its regular channels. The Eastern Cape’s multi-faceted approach to the challenges and opportunities of sustainability are explored in a special feature. From caring for agricultural land through partnerships between farmers, wool brokers and fashion houses, to solar panels and improved lighting and water systems, companies are finding ways to incorporate sensible and profitable solutions into their business models. The Nelson Mandela Bay Development Agency celebrates a significant milestone this year, it being 20 years since it began operations.
The 2023/24 edition of Eastern Cape Business is the 16th 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 Development Corporation (ECDC) is supporting this issue
of the journal, both in providing up-to-date information for editorial use and in sharing information about its activities. It will also distribute the journal through its regular channels.
The Eastern Cape’s multi-faceted approach to the challenges and opportunities of sustainability are explored in a special feature. From caring for agricultural land through partnerships between farmers, wool brokers and fashion houses, to solar panels and improved lighting and water systems, companies are finding ways to incorporate sensible and profitable solutions into their business models. The Nelson Mandela Bay Development Agency celebrates a significant milestone this year, it being 20 years since it began operations.
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OVERVIEW<br />
Oceans economy<br />
A Maritime Chamber of Commerce has been established.<br />
Scientists at Nelson Mandela University are part of a project<br />
to create a digital twin of the ocean so that accurate predictions<br />
can be made about the future. Professor Mike Roberts<br />
and his team have deployed oceanographic instruments to<br />
collect data on the ocean dynamics of the Mozambique Channel.<br />
This includes collecting information on currents, temperature, ocean<br />
productivity, habitats, fish and human populations which will help<br />
to predict what the Western Indian Ocean (WIO) will look like from<br />
now until 2100.<br />
Prof Roberts heads the UK-SA Bilateral Research Chair in Ocean<br />
Science and Marine Food Security. This is jointly hosted by Nelson<br />
Mandela University in South Africa and the University of Southampton<br />
in the United Kingdom.<br />
Previous research found that regime shifts in the Agulhas Bank<br />
ecosystem, possibly as result of climate change, resulted in the squid<br />
fishery collapsing in the <strong>Eastern</strong> <strong>Cape</strong> in 2001 and 2013. Over 2 400 squid<br />
fishermen lost their livelihoods, with about 35 000 family dependants<br />
being affected. His team is developing a policy brief that they aim to<br />
put on the <strong>2023</strong> agenda of the United Nations World Food Security<br />
Committee. This is to raise the issue of marine food security.<br />
The Maritime <strong>Business</strong> Chamber (MBC) has been established<br />
in the <strong>Eastern</strong> <strong>Cape</strong>, with its headquarters overlooking the Port<br />
Elizabeth harbour. It aims to address the imbalances in the maritime<br />
industry by representing the interests of all local businesses. It is<br />
aligned with strategic programmes such as Operation Phakisa and<br />
the Comprehensive Maritime Transport Policy (CMTP) and creates<br />
opportunities for SMMEs.<br />
<strong>Eastern</strong> <strong>Cape</strong> economic planners are getting advice from Egypt<br />
on how to scale up aquaculture. The North African country, which is<br />
sharing technical and funding ideas with the <strong>Eastern</strong> <strong>Cape</strong>, produces<br />
1.6-million tons of product in its aquaculture industry whereas South<br />
Africa’ s total is currently less than 10 000 tons.<br />
The focus of an expanded aquaculture sector is at Mbashe, Coega<br />
Special Economic Zone and the East London IDZ.<br />
The Coega Development Corporation (CDC) has set out a 440-ha<br />
zone inside the Coega SEZ adjacent to the deepwater Port of Ngqura.<br />
ONLINE RESOURCES<br />
Maritime <strong>Business</strong> Chamber: www.maritimechamber.co.za<br />
Ocean Sciences Campus (NMU): https://oceansciences.mandela.ac.za<br />
South African International Maritime Institute: www.saimi.co.za<br />
SECTOR INSIGHT<br />
Nelson Mandela University is<br />
mapping the ocean.<br />
Professor Mike Roberts, NMU.<br />
The Coega SEZ is served by two<br />
ports, is on the N2 highway and<br />
close to the Chief Dawid Stuurman<br />
International Airport, an important<br />
consideration for the export of live<br />
products.<br />
Other potential Oceans<br />
Economy sectors such as maritime<br />
repair and maintenance and oil and<br />
gas exploration have great potential.<br />
An Oceans Economy Master Plan<br />
has been created and so far, 73<br />
co-operatives have been awarded<br />
15-year licences by the National<br />
Department of Forestry, Fisheries<br />
and the Environment (DFFE). ■<br />
EASTERN CAPE BUSINESS <strong>2023</strong>/<strong>24</strong><br />
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