Eastern Cape
South Africa
Sector
Agriculture & Agri-processing
Business Support Services
Development Finance
As the development arm of the Eastern Cape Provincial Government, the ECDC channels funds into worthy projects that meet overall government objectives. By working closely with both provincial and national government to stimulate economic development and employment, the ECDC facilitates investments that meet government policy objectives such as the Accelerated and Shared Growth Initiative of South Africa (Asgisa).
The ECDC has identified certain sectors as having the greatest potential for growth, and these include agriculture (specifically timber, cotton, tea and mariculture), manufacturing of parts for the auto industry and importers and exporters who need access to busy and thriving ports in East London and Port Elizabeth.
The Eastern Cape offers excellent opportunities for entrepeneurs who are looking for a stable economic and political environment, with a good infrastructure and excellent facilities for exporters. The province has gone through a rebirth and today boasts a vibrant, peaceful and strong economy backed by some of South africa's biggest companies, such as DaimlerChrysler, Volkswagen and Johnson & Johnson.
The ECDC also offers the following services to viable SMEs in the province:
Trade promotion
Assists existing and potential exporters gain access to global markets
Investment promotion
Is a first point of entry for local and foreign investment into the Eastern Cape
Enterprise finance
Offers a range of services to facilitate SME development:
- Contract finance
- Conventional loans
- Structured finance
- Micro finance
Enterprise development services
Assists emerging entrepreneurs to access business development services
through a network of accredited service providers
Spatial and
rural programmes
Aims to assist in the implementation of integrated spatial planning that focuses on strategic economic development clusters in the Eastern Cape
Project development
Helps establish pilot projects that are of a strategic nature, are sustainable and which will serve to generate economic activity
Property management and development
Aims to provide suitable industrial and commercial premises at affordable rates in the Eastern Cape
Quite simply, the ECDC provides a comprehensive package of assistance to potential investors in the Eastern Cape.
