Whilst it is the smallest of South Africa’s nine provinces, Gauteng is undoubtedly also the economic hub, contributing a third of the country’s total GDP.

With so much economic activity, the provincial government established the Gauteng Department of Economic Development (DED) to help facilitate the region’s rapid economic growth.

Through both its own efforts and those of its various agencies, the Gauteng DED can proudly boast a number of high profile success stories.

NEPAD Summit

Under the auspice of its investment promotion agency, the Gauteng Economic Development Agency (GEDA), the Gauteng DED hosted its inaugural Gauteng NEPAD Summit earlier this year.

The NEPAD Summit was the first event of its kind in South Africa, which saw the implementation of NEPAD projects discussed at a sub-national level.

The summit pulled in a huge number of African Ambassadors, Economic Development Agencies from the continent, leading players and commentators in the global city region arena and over one thousand delegates across Africa.

Summit organizer Mudunwazi Baloyi said the massive US$3.3bn Gautrain project and its $1.58-billion counterpart in Lagos was an example of how African countries could collaborate on major projects in the future.

Driving to a prosperous future

The DED helped to facilitate the establishment of an Automotive Supplier Park (ASP), assisting the industry by locating component manufacturers and suppliers close to the assembly plants of key automotive manufacturers.

The ASP is aimed at stimulating economic growth and job creation in the automotive industry through large-scale investment in strategic economic infrastructure.

In addition, the Automotive Industry Development Centre (AIDC) was also created to enhance the global competitiveness of South African’s automotive industry through skills development and training

Soccerex

The region has also played host to a number of high profile events, including Soccerex 2008, which provided the global football community with a unique platform to learn, network and do business.

The 2009 event takes place in Gauteng, the province that will host the FIFA 2010 World cup final, again at the end of the year.

For more information about the Gauteng Department of Economic Development and how you can make the most of investing in the Gauteng economy contact: 
Name: Fezile Ngqobe
Email: Fezile.Ngqobe@gauteng.gov.za
Tel: +27 11 355 8087